At $1,170/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,170 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Fairmont changed +4.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 10 West Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($63,032) is $1,576 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,035); a 4-bedroom is $1,696.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Fairmont. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Fairmont, WV is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 32.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Fairmont, WV has changed in 5 years
Median household income rose from $47,618 to $63,032 between 2021 and 2024, a 32.4% shift. Renters now make up 36.9% of households, compared with 40.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 32.9% of adults here, versus 28.8% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Fairmont on your salary?
At $1,170/mo, how Fairmont rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Fairmont rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Fairmont. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Fairmont
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Fairmont is $1,170/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $759/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,045/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $737/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,035/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($63,032/yr), Fairmont ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Fairmont?
How does Fairmont rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?
At $1,170/mo, rent takes ~22% of Fairmont's median household income ($63,032/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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