Cost of Living in Cheat Lake, WV

Population 10,485 · West Virginia · Data vintage 2023

102
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Incomes in Cheat Lake punch well above what you'd expect from a town of 10,485. The reason is straightforward: extraction-sector wages. Median household earnings of $111,379 pair with home values that remain well below the national median. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Cheat Lake is about 55 miles south of Pittsburgh, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 79% higher than Pittsburgh's $193,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 113
Rent 85

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cheat Lake

The median home value in Cheat Lake is $345,500 — 13% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,113/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $111,379/year is 49% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. West Virginia's top state income tax rate is 6.5% and the combined sales tax is 6.4%. The climate averages highs of 63.8°F and lows of 43.9°F. Overall, Cheat Lake has a cost of living index of 102 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$345,500
13% above avg
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
15% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.9x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$658
1 BR
$729
2 BR
$883
3 BR
$1,182
4 BR
$1,304
Owner-occupied 80.2%
Renter-occupied 19.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,113
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,727/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
25.2 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.5%
Carpooled
7.8%
Walked
0.1%
Work from home
11.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.5%
Total Sales Tax 6.4%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.4%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$111,379
49% above avg
Per Capita Income
$65,868
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
59% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.3%
Graduate degree 36.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 41.5
Female median age 41.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
63.8°F
Avg Low
43.9°F
Annual Precip
43.1"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 404453657481848377665444
Low °F 242633425260646356453629
Precip" 3.122.813.653.874.334.074.933.653.413.093.023.20

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
81.9%
Good air days/yr
169
Max AQI recorded
63
PM2.5 days
214
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cheat Lake, WV?

Cheat Lake has a cost index of 102 (100 = national average). It is 2% above the national average.

What is average rent in Cheat Lake, WV?

The median gross rent in Cheat Lake is $1,113 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cheat Lake?

The median home value in Cheat Lake is $345,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Cheat Lake?

The median household income in Cheat Lake is $111,379 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cheat Lake, WV?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cheat Lake is 6.4%. The West Virginia state income tax top rate is 6.5%.

Is Cheat Lake, WV affordable?

Cheat Lake is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 102 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Cheat Lake?

Cheat Lake has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 43.9°F. Annual precipitation is 43.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cheat Lake at a Glance

Population
10,485
Median Income
$111,379
Home Value
$345,500
Median Rent
$1,113/mo
Unemployment
2.0%
Avg High Temp
63.8°F
Sales Tax
6.4%
View all cities in West Virginia →
🗺️ County data for West Virginia

Explore county-level cost of living data

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