salaryRent is lower than in 85% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $42,040 a year. That is $20 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 21 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Dunbar?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Dunbar
| Size | Dunbar | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $803 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,032 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,030 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,438 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Dunbar 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 Dunbar, so the West Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Dunbar
Life in Dunbar
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dunbar?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $221 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $119,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $11,960 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dunbar, WV?
Renting in Dunbar costs a median of about $1,051 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in Dunbar?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $42,040 a year, or $20 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Dunbar cheap or expensive?
Dunbar is rated OK: rent takes 20.0% of the typical household income of $62,962. It ranks 21st cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Dunbar?
The median homeowner in Dunbar pays $878 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Dunbar 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 Dunbar?
The median home value in Dunbar is $119,600, about 1.9 times the typical yearly household income.
7,254 people live in Dunbar. Numbers are typical (middle) values.