Nicholas County, West Virginia Housing Market
In Nicholas County, West Virginia, the median home value is $121,600, with a median monthly rent of $686. This places Nicholas County at #2609 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #38 within West Virginia.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $980
- Establishments: 749
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 2
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 8,706 (avg $56,944)
- Outflow: 8,334 (avg $57,712)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in Nicholas County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26651 | 225.6 | -12.05% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
How Nicholas County Compares
| Metric | Nicholas County | West Virginia Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $121,600 | $148,003 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $686 | $777 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 82.2% | 78.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 14.8 | 15.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Nicholas County is 17.8% below the West Virginia state average and 46.6% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $686/month is 11.7% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 14.8, buying a home in Nicholas 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.
Nicholas County has an owner-occupancy rate of 82.2%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike County | Arkansas | $121,600 | $686 |
| McPherson County | Nebraska | $121,600 | $588 |
| Clarke County | Alabama | $121,700 | $782 |
| Harrison County | Ohio | $121,500 | $785 |
| Hardeman County | Tennessee | $121,700 | $812 |
Other Counties in West Virginia
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | $121,700 | $810 | 72.9% |
| Tyler County | $121,300 | $748 | 84.1% |
| Roane County | $122,100 | $614 | 78.9% |
| Mason County | $120,300 | $671 | 81.8% |
| Braxton County | $117,900 | $606 | 76.8% |
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).