What are the schools like in Kingwood, WV?

Kingwood is served primarily by Preston County Schools. The district operates 8 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.0:1.

What is the median household income in Kingwood?

The median household income in Kingwood, WV is $74,961 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.4%.

What is the weather like in Kingwood, WV?

Kingwood has an average high temperature of 34.0°F in January and 76.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 45.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 171.1 inches.

Kingwood, WV Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Kingwood, WV affordable or expensive?

Kingwood's cost of living index is 92, where 100 represents the national average. This means Kingwood is 8% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $162,800 and the median rent is $633 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Kingwood, WV?

Kingwood has a violent crime rate of 12.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 233.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Kingwood, WV a Good Place to Live?

Kingwood is a small town of 2,997 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $74,961 and a 7.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is 8% below the national average.

Strengths: Kingwood stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Kingwood is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Kingwood 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: 92.3

Kingwood's overall cost of living index is 92.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Kingwood costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.

Metric	Kingwood, WV	National Avg
Median Home Value	$162,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$633	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	65.8%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$74,961	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Kingwood's violent crime rate is 12.0 per 100,000 residents — 97% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

12.0 /100k

Property Crime

233.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Kingwood is served primarily by Preston County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Kingwood, WV	National Avg
School District	Preston County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	8	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	32.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	95.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Kingwood sees average highs of 34.0°F in January and 76.7°F in July, with 45.7 inches of annual precipitation and 171.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Kingwood, WV
Average High — January	34.0°F
Average High — July	76.7°F
Annual Precipitation	45.7"
Annual Snowfall	171.1"

Demographics

Metric	Kingwood, WV	National Avg
Population	2,997	—
Median Age	40.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	94.6%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.5%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.3%	22.2%
65 and over	21.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Albright, WV 3 mi Tunnelton, WV 6 mi Reedsville, WV 7 mi Arthurdale, WV 7 mi Terra Alta, WV 8 mi

ZIP Codes in Kingwood

Kingwood, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code:

26537

Kingwood vs Other Cities

Kingwood, WV vs Albright, WV Kingwood, WV vs Tunnelton, WV Kingwood, WV vs Reedsville, WV Kingwood, WV vs Arthurdale, WV Kingwood, WV vs Terra Alta, WV

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kingwood, WV affordable or expensive?

Kingwood's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average. That makes Kingwood roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $162,800 and median rent is $633/month.

What is the crime rate in Kingwood, WV?

Kingwood's violent crime rate is 12.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 233.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Kingwood?

Public schools in Kingwood are operated by Preston County Schools. The district has 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1. 32.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Kingwood, WV a good place to live?

Kingwood, WV has a population of 2,997, a median household income of $74,961, and an unemployment rate of 7.4%. 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.

What is the weather like in Kingwood?

Kingwood averages 34.0°F in January and 76.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.7 inches with about 171.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Kingwood?

Kingwood, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code: 26537.

What is the population of Kingwood?

The population of Kingwood, West Virginia is 2,997 with a median age of 40.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Kingwood?

Key numbers for living in Kingwood: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $162,800, median household income $74,961, crime index 6 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Kingwood side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.