At $801/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 $801 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 Princeton changed +6.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 10 West Virginia cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($43,900) is $1,098 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($850); a 3-bedroom is $1,170.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Princeton. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Princeton, WV has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Princeton on your salary?
At $801/mo, how Princeton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Princeton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Princeton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Princeton
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Princeton is $801/mo as of October 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 increased 6.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Princeton?
Is rent going up or down in Princeton?
How does Princeton rent compare to other cities in West Virginia?
At $801/mo, rent takes ~22% of Princeton's median household income ($43,900/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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