salaryRent is lower than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $53,240 a year. That is $26 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 27 of 31 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Martinsburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Martinsburg
| Size | Martinsburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $829 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $825 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,111 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,458 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,995 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Martinsburg overall?
Everyday prices in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Martinsburg
Life in Martinsburg
What jobs pay in Martinsburg
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Assistant | $137,220 | 11.6% |
| Pharmacist | $136,970 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,240 | 12.7% |
| Software Developer | $122,830 | 13.0% |
| Lawyer | $108,530 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,800 | 15.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,620 | 17.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,770 | 17.2% |
| Operations Manager | $92,420 | 17.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | 19.1% |
| Accountant | $75,250 | 21.2% |
| Police Officer | $66,020 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,470 | 24.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,280 | 24.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,190 | 25.3% |
| Electrician | $62,310 | 25.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,410 | 27.3% |
| Carpenter | $56,600 | 28.2% |
| Truck Driver | $56,310 | 28.4% |
| Plumber | $55,130 | 29.0% |
| Firefighter | $49,690 | 32.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $42,230 | 37.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,870 | 38.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,200 | 41.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,100 | 41.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,470 | 46.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,330 | 46.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,490 | 50.7% |
| Cashier | $31,200 | 51.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Martinsburg?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $334 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $240,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,000 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Martinsburg, WV?
Renting in Martinsburg costs a median of about $1,331 a month in 2026, including utilities. The West Virginia median is $1,007.
How much do I need to make to live in Martinsburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $53,240 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Martinsburg cheap or expensive?
Martinsburg is rated OK: rent takes 24.9% of the typical household income of $64,230. It ranks 27th cheapest of 31 West Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Martinsburg?
The median homeowner in Martinsburg pays $1,529 a year in property taxes, about 0.64% of the median home value.
Is Martinsburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Martinsburg?
The median home value in Martinsburg is $240,000, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
18,904 people live in Martinsburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.