McDowell County, West Virginia Housing Market
In McDowell County, West Virginia, the median home value is $50,000, with a median monthly rent of $643. This places McDowell County at #3133 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #55 within West Virginia.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
ℹ️ FHFA HPI data is not available for this county due to limited mortgage transaction volume.
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,152
- Establishments: 291
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 4,453 (avg $41,384)
- Outflow: 4,351 (avg $41,788)
- IRS Statistics of Income
How McDowell County Compares
| Metric | McDowell County | West Virginia Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $50,000 | $148,003 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $643 | $777 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 77.3% | 78.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 6.5 | 15.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in McDowell County is 66.2% below the West Virginia state average and 78.0% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $643/month is 17.2% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 6.5, buying a home in McDowell County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
McDowell County has an owner-occupancy rate of 77.3%, compared to 78.4% in West Virginia and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewall County | Texas | $48,600 | $613 |
| Oglala Lakota County | South Dakota | $52,900 | $584 |
| Cochran County | Texas | $53,200 | $697 |
| Todd County | South Dakota | $53,900 | $532 |
| Cottle County | Texas | $59,300 | $264 |
Other Counties in West Virginia
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster County | $76,100 | $709 | 77.3% |
| Wyoming County | $82,900 | $650 | 82.5% |
| Gilmer County | $83,800 | $750 | 75.6% |
| Mingo County | $90,500 | $647 | 73.4% |
| Boone County | $93,100 | $837 | 81.3% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).