salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (83.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 61.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,320 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other West Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of West Virginia. It is number 25 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cheat Lake?
Share of households by yearly income. 49.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cheat Lake
| Size | Cheat Lake | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $831 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,102 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,532 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cheat Lake overall?
Everyday prices in West Virginia overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Cheat Lake, so the West Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Cheat Lake
Life in Cheat Lake
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cheat Lake?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,368 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $367,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cheat Lake, WV?
Renting in Cheat Lake costs a median of about $1,183 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in Cheat Lake?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,320 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cheat Lake cheap or expensive?
Cheat Lake is rated Cheap: rent takes 11.2% of the typical household income of $126,200. It ranks 25th cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cheat Lake?
The median homeowner in Cheat Lake pays $1,674 a year in property taxes, about 0.46% of the median home value.
Is Cheat Lake more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in West Virginia are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cheat Lake?
The median home value in Cheat Lake is $367,600, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
10,902 people live in Cheat Lake. Numbers are typical (middle) values.