ZIP Code · WV

ZIP 26003

Part of Wheeling, WV

Pop. 39,982·Ohio County·17th most expensive ZIP in West Virginia

Median rent (all units)

$821/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.5%

Month-over-Month

-1.1%

vs US Median

-$1,111

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 26003 · $821

More affordable than 100% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$740

1 BR

$880

2 BR

$1,070

3 BR

$1,380

4 BR+

$1,530

Research median

$1,070/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 26003 is 1.1% below its high of $830 in August 2026, at $821 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of West Virginia

Rent in ZIP 26003 changed +2.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 14 West Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.5%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($57,703) is $1,443 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,380); a 4-bedroom is $1,530.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 26003. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$9,852/yr

At $821/mo median

Location

CityWheeling

StateWV

CountyOhio County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 26003 (Wheeling, WV) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

39,982

Median income

$57,703

Median age

44.7

Renters

32.5%

Age distribution

19.3%

19.1%

22.4%

14%

25.2%

Under 1819.3%

18–3419.1%

35–5422.4%

55–6414%

65+25.2%

Gender

48.7%

51.3%

Male48.7%

Female51.3%

Race & ethnicity

90.1%

White90.1%

Black3.3%

Hispanic1.5%

Asian0.5%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

31%

28.8%

34%

No HS diploma6.2%

HS diploma31%

Some college28.8%

Bachelor's+34%

Housing tenure

67.5%

32.5%

Owner67.5%

Renter32.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 26003 in Wheeling, WV has changed in 5 years

Rent

$714 → $821

up 15.0%

Income

$51,887 → $57,703

up 11.2%

Population

40,984 → 39,982

down 2.4%

Renter share

30.1% → 32.5%

+2.4 pts

Bachelor's+

33.6% → 34%

+0.4 pts

Median age

43.9 → 44.7

+0.8 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 26003 in Wheeling, WV stood at $714 in 2023 and currently runs about $821, reflecting a 15.0% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $51,887 to $57,703 across the same window, up 11.2% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 40,984 residents to roughly 39,982. Renters now make up 32.5% of households, compared with 30.1% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 26003 in Wheeling, WV look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 26003

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 26003 covers Wheeling, WV. The median rent here is $821/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $880/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,070/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($57,703/yr), ZIP 26003 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 26003?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $33,000/year (about $16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $821/mo in ZIP 26003. The local median household income is $57,703/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 26003?

Rent in ZIP 26003 has risen 2.5% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 1.1% below its high of $830 in August 2026.

How does ZIP 26003 compare to other ZIPs in West Virginia?

ZIP 26003 is one of the more affordable among West Virginia ZIP codes for rent, ranking #17 of 17 at $821/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 26003 changed +2.5%, against a typical +3.5% across the 14 West Virginia ZIP codes Zillow tracks.