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City Report · WV

Parkersburg

Pop. 29,240·12th most expensive in West Virginia·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$877/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.0%
Month-over-Month
-9.4%
vs US Median
-$1,085
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Parkersburg · $877
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
21% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $877/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$35,000/yr
Local median income
$49,025/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Parkersburg's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$770
1 BR
$770
2 BR
$930
3 BR
$1,250
4 BR+
$1,300
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$930/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $877 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$10,524/yr
At $877/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 3.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.0% YoY, -9.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Parkersburg, WV is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,240
Median income
$49,025
Median age
42.2
Renters
35%
Age distribution
20.2%
19.2%
26.6%
12.5%
21.6%
Under 1820.2%
18–3419.2%
35–5426.6%
55–6412.5%
65+21.6%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
92.6%
White92.6%
Black1.6%
Hispanic1.8%
Asian0.6%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
12.9%
37.4%
28.7%
21%
No HS diploma12.9%
HS diploma37.4%
Some college28.7%
Bachelor's+21%
Housing tenure
65%
35%
Owner65%
Renter35%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Parkersburg, WV has changed in 5 years

Income
$38,960 → $49,025
up 25.8%
Population
29,910 → 29,240
down 2.2%
Renter share
36.1% → 35%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
16.2% → 21%
+4.8 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $38,960 in 2021 to $49,025 more recently. Census counts show Parkersburg, WV losing about 670 residents over the five-year window, down 2.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 16.2% to 21% across the same window.

Community

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View Parkersburg rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Parkersburg on your salary?

At $877/mo, how Parkersburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Parkersburg rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Parkersburg. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Parkersburg

About renting in Parkersburg, WV

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Parkersburg is $877/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $770/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $930/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,250/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($49,025/yr), Parkersburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Parkersburg an affordable city for renters?

Parkersburg is considered very affordable for renters. At $877/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($49,025/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Parkersburg falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Parkersburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $35,000/year (~$17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $877/mo in Parkersburg. The local median household income is $49,025/yr, meaning the typical Parkersburg household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Parkersburg?

Rent in Parkersburg has decreased 3.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Parkersburg rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?

Parkersburg is one of the more affordable cities in West Virginia for rent, ranking #12 out of 14 tracked cities at $877/mo.

What percentage of Parkersburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35% of Parkersburg households are renters, while 65% are owner-occupied. Parkersburg leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Parkersburg rent compare to the national average?

Parkersburg's median rent of $877/mo is $1,085 (55%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within West Virginia, it ranks #12 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $877/mo, rent takes ~21% of Parkersburg's median household income ($49,025/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Parkersburg 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.36–5.12%
Run the Parkersburg affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Parkersburg, WV

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