%
CapRateCity
Free cap rate calculators for every US market
← All markets

Best Cities for Rental Property in West Virginia

10 West Virginia cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across West Virginia markets is 5.9%, with median home prices averaging $153K and rents averaging $998/mo. Beckley leads with a 6.9% cap rate at a $140K median price. West Virginia's low average property tax rate of 0.58% gives investors a significant cash flow advantage.

5.9%
Avg Cap Rate
$153K
Avg Price
$998/mo
Avg Rent
10
Cities Tracked

West Virginia Rental Market Analysis

West Virginia offers 10 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 5.9% is above the 3.81% national average, making West Virginia an attractive state for cash flow investors. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: West Virginia home prices average $153K, which is 54% below the national average of $333K. Rents average $998/mo. The most affordable entry point is Weirton at $125K, while Beckley offers the highest cap rate at 6.9%.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.58% across West Virginia, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $765 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Beckley has the lowest rate at 0.58%.Vacancy averages 7.5%, in line with national norms.

Growth outlook: Population growth across West Virginia averages -0.40% per year, led by Beckley at -0.4%. Home values are appreciating at 1.4% annually on average. Flat or declining population means investors should focus on the strongest individual markets rather than betting on state-wide trends.

Bottom line: West Virginia is one of the stronger states for rental property investing, with above-average cap rates and low taxes. Focus on the top-performing cities for the best risk-adjusted returns.

Sponsored · Want to analyze a specific property? DealCheck imports real listing data and runs the full analysis for you.
Try Free →

How West Virginia Compares to National Averages

Metric
West Virginia
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
5.9%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$153K
$333K
Avg Rent
$998/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.58%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
7.5%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
-0.40%/yr
0.92%/yr

West Virginia Cities by Cap Rate Tier

6% – 7% (4)5% – 6% (5)4% – 5% (1)

All 10 West Virginia Cities Ranked

1
Beckley, WV6.9% cap rate
$140K median$1,050/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
2
Charleston, WV6.8% cap rate
$140K median$1,030/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
3
Clarksburg, WV6.2% cap rate
$150K median$1,020/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
4
Wheeling, WV6.0% cap rate
$135K median$900/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
5
Weirton, WV6.0% cap rate
$125K median$830/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
6
Huntington, WV5.7% cap rate
$160K median$1,020/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
7
Bluefield, WV5.6% cap rate
$140K median$880/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
8
Fairmont, WV5.6% cap rate
$160K median$1,000/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
9
Morgantown, WV5.5% cap rate
$215K median$1,330/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth
10
Parkersburg, WV4.8% cap rate
$165K median$920/mo rent0.58% tax-0.4% growth

Other South States

Mississippi (9 cities · 6.3% avg)Louisiana (13 cities · 5.9% avg)Alabama (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Oklahoma (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Georgia (26 cities · 5.0% avg)South Carolina (15 cities · 4.9% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is West Virginia a good state for rental property investing?
West Virginia has an average cap rate of 5.9% across 10 cities, which is above the national average of 3.81%. The best-performing city is Beckley at 6.9%. Average home prices of $153K offer affordable entry points. Property taxes at 0.58% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in West Virginia?
Beckley leads West Virginia with a 6.9% cap rate, $140K median price, and $1,050/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Beckley (-0.4% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in West Virginia?
Property taxes in West Virginia average 0.58%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Beckley at 0.58%. On an average-priced home of $153K, annual taxes are approximately $887.
How many West Virginia cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 10 West Virginia cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

Explore More

The CapRateCity Report
Weekly market analysis: highest cap rate cities, emerging markets, and deal breakdowns. Free, no spam.