Cost of Living in Dunbar, WV
Population 7,340 · West Virginia · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Dunbar sits on the smaller end of the West Virginia city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 2.2% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Dunbar lies roughly 130 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Columbus — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Columbus' $235,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Dunbar
The median home value in Dunbar is $121,100 — 60% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $904/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,647/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.2%, 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 66.8°F and lows of 45.5°F, with about 31.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Dunbar has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.
Dunbar has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 44 | 48 | 57 | 69 | 76 | 83 | 86 | 85 | 80 | 69 | 57 | 48 |
| Low °F | 26 | 29 | 35 | 45 | 53 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 45 | 36 | 30 |
| Precip" | 3.27 | 3.36 | 4.14 | 3.56 | 4.93 | 4.72 | 5.38 | 3.75 | 3.46 | 2.91 | 3.20 | 3.56 |
| Snow" | 10.3 | 7.7 | 5.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 5.0 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Dunbar, WV?
Dunbar has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.
What is average rent in Dunbar, WV?
The median gross rent in Dunbar is $904 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Dunbar?
The median home value in Dunbar is $121,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Dunbar?
The median household income in Dunbar is $54,647 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Dunbar, WV?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Dunbar is 6.4%. The West Virginia state income tax top rate is 6.5%.
Is Dunbar, WV affordable?
Yes, Dunbar is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Dunbar?
Dunbar has average high temperatures of 66.8°F and average lows of 45.5°F. Annual precipitation is 46.2". Average annual snowfall is 31.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Dunbar at a Glance
- Population
- 7,340
- Median Income
- $54,647
- Home Value
- $121,100
- Median Rent
- $904/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.2%
- Avg High Temp
- 66.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
West Virginia Rankings
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