Ghent is a small town of 390 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $102,204
.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Ghent stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include high home prices, longer commutes. Whether Ghent is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Ghent city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.6
Ghent's overall cost of living index is 89.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Ghent costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Ghent, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$422,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
N/A
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
86.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$102,204
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Ghent's violent crime rate is 275.4 per 100,000 residents
— 28% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
275.4 /100k
Property Crime
2531.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Ghent is served primarily by Raleigh County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Ghent, WV
National Avg
School District
Raleigh County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
17
—
Middle Schools
5
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
37.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
85.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Ghent sees average highs of 39.6°F in January
and 79.1°F in July,
with 43.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 38.4 inches of snow per year.
Ghent's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Ghent roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $422,400 and median rent is N/A/month.
Ghent's violent crime rate is 275.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2531.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Ghent are operated by Raleigh County Schools.
The district has 17 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.7:1. 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Ghent, WV has a population of 390, a median household income of $102,204, and an unemployment rate of 0.0%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Ghent averages 39.6°F in January and 79.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 43.4 inches
with about 38.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Ghent, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code: 25843.
The population of Ghent, West Virginia is 390 with a median age of 48.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Ghent: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $422,400, median household income $102,204, crime index 92 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ghent side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
