Special Interest
Housing in Kanawha County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Kanawha County averages $906/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the West Virginia median of $872 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 31% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Kanawha County FMR Area are $762 for a studio, $884 for 1‑bedroom, $1,105 for 2‑bedroom, $1,413 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,463 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $199 increase for a 2-bedroom in Kanawha County shows a 22% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Kanawha County was 3.8% in 2024, compared to West Virginia at 4.1% and the national rate of 4.0%.
