A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
45%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Clarksburg West Virginia National
Cost of living8385100
Goods & Services9595100
Groceries9698100
Health care9297100
Housing5562100
Transportation9494100
Utilities9496100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Clarksburg, WV

The cost of living in Clarksburg affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Clarksburg is 83, which is 17% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Clarksburg are 45% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.

Is Clarksburg Affordable?

Is Clarksburg an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Clarksburg is 52% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 28.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Clarksburg has a median household income of $41,226, which is 25.5% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Clarksburg?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Clarksburg, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 3%.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Clarksburg, the housing index is 45% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Clarksburg displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Clarksburg is 3% lower than the West Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Clarksburg is 17% lower than the national average
  • Clarksburg housing is 45% lower than the national average
  • West Virginia general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • West Virginia state income tax is 16% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Clarksburg

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Compare Clarksburg, WV Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$53,050$4,421$1,238$1,592
      Renters$25,162$2,097$587$755
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Clarksburg, WV, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Clarksburg, the median monthly income is $53,050 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,238 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $25,162, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $587 on monthly rental expenses.

      West Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      West Virginia 6% 7%

      West Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      West Virginia 3% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      Haircut $29.44$24.2621.4%
      Beauty Salon $49.17$45.567.9%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.6%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.5%
      Movie $10.26$12.1315.4%
      Bowling $17.17$18.004.6%

      Groceries

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.63$5.843.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.2%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $5.49$4.9311.3%
      Pizza $11.17$12.097.6%
      Beer $10.15$10.412.5%

      Health Care

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $126.67$125.680.8%
      Doctor $137.65$135.781.4%
      Dentist $100.44$113.2911.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.20$10.654.3%
      Lipitor $375.63$468.6019.8%

      Housing

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      Home Price $88,600.00$184,700.0052.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,880.59$2,346.6919.9%
      Apartment Rent $679.00$949.0028.5%

      Transportation

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $47.54$59.9220.7%

      Utilities

      Item Clarksburg National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $178.61$193.997.9%
      Phone $185.45$192.253.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Spelter, WV233955.2%
      Galloway, WV191955.2%
      Gypsy, WV162955.2%
      Wolf Summit, WV123955.2%
      Wallace, WV309955.2%
      Clarksburg, WV15,7438317.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Longmeadow, MA15,73612929.0%
      Pataskala, OH15,751991.3%
      Isla Vista, CA15,73313333.0%
      Warsaw, IN15,7578812.3%
      Kenora, ON15,728n/a 
      Clarksburg, WV15,7438317.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.