State index

West Virginia state guide

Compare large West Virginia cities by 2025 Census population, young-grad fit, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, commute, and safety-check notes. The current West Virginia subset includes 10 South city pages with a combined 2025 population estimate of 262,812.

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State signal

Martinsburg, West Virginia has the strongest verified population-growth signal in this West Virginia subset at +2.50% since the 2020 estimates base. For recent grads, also compare fit score, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, safety checks, and commute mode before signing a lease.

City	Catalog	Grad fit	Median rent	Median income	2025 population	City unemployment	Growth	Jobs	Cost
Charleston, West Virginia	State starter	62/100	$908	$65,812	46,117	6.5%	-5.52%	competitive	rent-friendly
Huntington, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	56/100	$912	$45,100	44,815	6.8%	-4.40%	competitive	rent stretched
Morgantown, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	65/100	$937	$44,727	30,293	6.2%	+0.77%	competitive	rent stretched
Parkersburg, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	57/100	$785	$49,025	28,593	7.9%	-3.72%	competitive	rent watch
Wheeling, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	58/100	$794	$48,590	25,680	6.5%	-4.90%	competitive	rent watch
Martinsburg, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	60/100	$1,150	$59,555	19,211	5.2%	+2.50%	competitive	rent stretched
Weirton, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	56/100	$746	$59,575	18,133	7.1%	-5.41%	competitive	rent-friendly
Fairmont, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	63/100	$916	$63,032	18,035	6.7%	-2.07%	competitive	rent-friendly
Beckley, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	55/100	$869	$45,826	16,373	3.2%	-5.19%	competitive	rent watch
Clarksburg, West Virginia	West Virginia coverage	56/100	$790	$47,386	15,562	4.4%	-4.65%	competitive	rent watch