Preston County, West Virginia Housing Market
In Preston County, West Virginia, the median home value is $162,800, with a median monthly rent of $750. This places Preston County at #1960 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #16 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: $1,001
- Establishments: 820
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 8
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 12,620 (avg $59,030)
- Outflow: 12,011 (avg $58,797)
- IRS Statistics of Income
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| Metric | Preston County | West Virginia Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $162,800 | $148,003 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $750 | $777 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 81.5% | 78.4% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 18.1 | 15.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Preston County is 10.0% above the West Virginia state average and 28.5% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $750/month is 3.5% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 18.1, the buy-vs-rent decision in Preston County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Preston County has an owner-occupancy rate of 81.5%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | Georgia | $162,800 | $846 |
| Alcona County | Michigan | $162,800 | $867 |
| Calhoun County | Michigan | $162,800 | $968 |
| Oldham County | Texas | $162,800 | $1,111 |
| Otero County | New Mexico | $162,700 | $962 |
Other Counties in West Virginia
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabell County | $164,400 | $923 | 64.2% |
| Doddridge County | $160,800 | $866 | 88.8% |
| Ohio County | $166,000 | $821 | 66.4% |
| Harrison County | $166,200 | $879 | 73.6% |
| Hardy County | $166,300 | $816 | 77.3% |
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 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).