Living in Wheeling, West Virginia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Wheeling · Census data 2020–2024
Wheeling has 26,350 residents with a median age of 45.4. The median household income is $48,590 (18% lower than the West Virginia median), the median home value is $146,500, the median rent is $794/month.
Wheeling at a glance
- Population
- 26,350
- Median age
- 45.4State: 42.7
- Median household income
- $48,590State: $59,608
- Median home value
- $146,500State: $162,600
- Median rent
- $794/moState: $872
- Homeowners
- 59.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34.1%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Wheeling a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Wheeling
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Wheeling the median home value is $146,500, 56% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $794 per month, which is 33% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,146 a month in housing costs.
Wheeling median household income
The median household income in Wheeling is $48,590 and the income per person is $36,509. 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line (West Virginia: 16.7%).
Housing in Wheeling: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,569
- Owner-occupied
- 59.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.2%
- Vacant
- 13.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1949
- Average household size
- 2.00
Wheeling demographics
- Population
- 26,350
- Median age
- 45.4
- Under 18
- 18.1%
- 65 and older
- 25.9%
- Households
- 12,614
- Foreign-born
- 2.1%
- Veterans
- 6.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Wheeling ›
Education in Wheeling
34.1% of adults 25 and older in Wheeling have a bachelor's degree or higher (West Virginia: 24.1%), and 14.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Wheeling
- Unemployment rate
- 6.5%State: 5.4%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 27 min
- Work from home
- 6.9%
- Drive alone
- 78.3%
- Public transit
- 2.2%
- Walk to work
- 4%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.7%
Wheeling vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling | 26,350 | $48,590 | $146,500 | $794 |
| Bethlehem | 2,592 | $83,409 | $200,000 | $1,339 |
| Martins Ferry | 6,140 | $37,467 | $96,200 | $800 |
| Bridgeport | 1,453 | $54,125 | $94,200 | $689 |
| Brookside | 610 | $72,917 | $117,000 | $817 |
| Clearview | 500 | $81,750 | $211,600 | — |
| Wolfhurst | 1,058 | $28,833 | $75,000 | $271 |
| Bellaire | 3,800 | $38,205 | $85,400 | $759 |
| Triadelphia | 825 | $48,281 | $93,600 | $714 |
More for people moving to Wheeling
Wheeling ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Wheeling: FAQ
What is the median household income in Wheeling, WV?
The median household income in Wheeling is $48,590, 18% lower than the West Virginia median of $59,608 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Wheeling?
The median home value in Wheeling is $146,500, compared with $162,600 in West Virginia.
How much is rent in Wheeling?
The median gross rent in Wheeling is $794 per month, about 33% of household income.
Is Wheeling, WV a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the West Virginia median; unemployment of 6.5%; a poverty rate of 20.5%.
What is the median age in Wheeling?
The median age in Wheeling is 45.4 years (West Virginia: 42.7).
How long is the commute in Wheeling?
The average commute to work in Wheeling is 20 minutes; 6.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Wheeling?
The unemployment rate in Wheeling is 6.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Wheeling?
34.1% of adults in Wheeling have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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