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Cost of homeownership in McDowell County, West Virginia

Real dollar cost of ownership, rent-vs-buy analysis, and flood risk, backed by Census ACS, FEMA, and FHFA data. Population: 18,911.

Median home value
$47,500
Median property tax
$268
Monthly owner cost
$847
with mortgage
Affordability (cost % of income)
13.4%

Total annual ownership cost

Breakdown of what owning a typical home in McDowell County costs each year.

  • Property taxes$268
  • Insurance estimate$1,500
  • Utilities / energy$1,664
  • Maintenance (1% of value)$475
  • Total$3,907/yr · $326/mo

Insurance and energy figures typically vary by property. Adjust in the calculators for a personalized estimate.

Total
$3,907
/ year

Rent vs. buy in McDowell County

Pre-filled with local median home value, median gross rent (Census ACS / HUD FMR), and current FRED rate.

Flood risk

Historical signal from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

HIGH RISK
Total claims
66
Avg claim
$13,768
Active policies
44
Avg premium
$905
NFIP policy

Historical claims do not capture uninsured properties. A low score does not eliminate flood risk. FEMA flood-zone maps at msc.fema.gov list parcel-level designations.

Full flood-risk breakdown →

Home price trend in West Virginia

FHFA House Price Index, quarterly.

vs. West Virginia average
Home value below state average.
Property tax below state average.
Homeownership
77.1%

Share of units owner-occupied (Census ACS).

Median household income
$28,235

Census ACS 5-year estimate.

Housing cost burden in McDowell County

Share of households paying 30% or more of income on housing (HUD CHAS 2017-2021). HUD does not publish county-level CHAS rollups through the public API, so West Virginia state data is shown for local context alongside the US average.

West Virginia: 30%+ cost burdened
27.3%
525,945 households surveyed
West Virginia: severely burdened (50%+)
12.9%
Paying at least half of income on housing.
Owner vs renter burden
Owner 30%+: 24.8%
Renter 30%+: 20.6%
Renters typically carry a heavier cost burden than owners with a fixed-rate mortgage.

Affordability by income bracket

Monthly 30% housing budget at each income vs the median owner cost in McDowell County. Bars above the dashed line can absorb this county's typical ownership cost.

HUD area median income (4-person household) for West Virginia: $79,300. Income limits define 80% AMI at $63,450 and 50% AMI at $39,650.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to own a home in McDowell County?

Based on Census ACS, typical total annual cost in McDowell County is around $3,907 ($326 per month), covering property tax, insurance estimate, utilities, and 1% maintenance. Your actual cost varies by home age, size, and location within the county.

What is the property tax in McDowell County?

Median annual property tax is $268 on the county's median home value of $47,500 (Census ACS).

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in McDowell County?

Annual ownership cost is roughly 46% lower than annual rent at the county's median. Use the calculator below to model your specific situation.

What is the flood risk in McDowell County?

high historical flood-risk score from FEMA NFIP: 66 claims, average claim $13,768.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.