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City Report · WV

Princeton

Pop. 5,736·14th most expensive in West Virginia·Princeton rents have dropped 7.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$788/mo
Year-over-Year
-7.0%
Month-over-Month
-2.6%
vs US Median
-$1,177
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Princeton · $788
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $788/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$32,000/yr
Local median income
$43,900/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Princeton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$580
1 BR
$680
2 BR
$850
3 BR
$1,170
4 BR+
$1,250
Research median
$850/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$9,456/yr
At $788/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 7.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-7.0% YoY, -2.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Princeton, 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
5,736
Median income
$43,900
Median age
44.2
Renters
43.2%
Age distribution
17.5%
21.2%
27.1%
23.8%
Under 1817.5%
18–3421.2%
35–5427.1%
55–6410.4%
65+23.8%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
88.7%
White88.7%
Black2.6%
Hispanic0.6%
Other8.1%
Education (25+)
39.9%
31.3%
21%
No HS diploma7.8%
HS diploma39.9%
Some college31.3%
Bachelor's+21%
Housing tenure
56.8%
43.2%
Owner56.8%
Renter43.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Princeton, WV has changed in 5 years

Income
$39,569 → $43,900
up 10.9%
Population
5,885 → 5,736
down 2.5%
Renter share
47.3% → 43.2%
-4.1 pts
Bachelor's+
19.2% → 21%
+1.8 pts
Median age
43.6 → 44.2
+0.6 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $39,569 in 2021 to $43,900 more recently. The population has contracted by 2.5% since 2021, moving from about 5,885 residents to roughly 5,736. Renters now make up 43.2% of households, compared with 47.3% five years ago.

Community

Discussions about Princeton

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

Can you afford rent in Princeton on your salary?

At $788/mo, how Princeton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Princeton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Princeton

About renting in Princeton, WV

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Princeton is $788/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $580/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $850/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $680/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,170/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($43,900/yr), Princeton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Princeton an affordable city for renters?

Princeton is considered very affordable for renters. At $788/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($43,900/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Princeton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Princeton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $32,000/year (~$15/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $788/mo in Princeton. The local median household income is $43,900/yr, meaning the typical Princeton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Princeton?

Rent in Princeton has decreased 7.0% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Princeton is one of the more affordable cities in West Virginia for rent, ranking #14 out of 14 tracked cities at $788/mo.

What percentage of Princeton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.2% of Princeton households are renters, while 56.8% are owner-occupied. Princeton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Princeton rent compare to the national average?

Princeton's median rent of $788/mo is $1,177 (60%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within West Virginia, it ranks #14 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $788/mo, rent takes ~22% of Princeton's median household income ($43,900/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Princeton 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.36–5.12%
Run the Princeton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Princeton, WV

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