At $1,024/mo, rent takes about 25% 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 $1,024 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 Parkersburg changed +10.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 10 West Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($49,025) is $1,226 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($930); a 3-bedroom is $1,250.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Parkersburg. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Parkersburg, WV has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Parkersburg on your salary?
At $1,024/mo, how Parkersburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Parkersburg rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Parkersburg. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Parkersburg
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Parkersburg is $1,024/mo as of October 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 25% of local median household income ($49,025/yr), Parkersburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Parkersburg?
How does Parkersburg rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Parkersburg?
At $1,024/mo, rent takes ~25% of Parkersburg's median household income ($49,025/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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