salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 11.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $30,760 a year. That is $15 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other West Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of West Virginia. It is number 4 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elkins?
Share of households by yearly income. 12.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elkins
| Size | Elkins | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $733 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $909 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,117 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,392 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elkins 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 Elkins, so the West Virginia figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Elkins
Life in Elkins
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elkins?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $291 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $152,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $15,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elkins, WV?
Renting in Elkins costs a median of about $769 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in Elkins?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $30,760 a year, or $15 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elkins cheap or expensive?
Elkins is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.4% of the typical household income of $47,688. It ranks 4th cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elkins?
The median homeowner in Elkins pays $684 a year in property taxes, about 0.45% of the median home value.
Is Elkins 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 Elkins?
The median home value in Elkins is $152,700, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
6,811 people live in Elkins. Numbers are typical (middle) values.