Paden City is a small town of 2,740 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $53,833
and a 5.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Paden City 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 Paden City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Paden City 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: 90.2
Paden City's overall cost of living index is 90.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Paden City costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Paden City, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$91,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$863
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
77.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,833
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Paden City's violent crime rate is 318.6 per 100,000 residents
— 16% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
318.6 /100k
Property Crime
272.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Paden City is served primarily by Wetzel County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Paden City, WV
National Avg
School District
Wetzel County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
5
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Paden City sees average highs of 38.3°F in January
and 83.3°F in July,
with 45.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 27.3 inches of snow per year.
Paden City's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Paden City roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $91,700 and median rent is $863/month.
Paden City's violent crime rate is 318.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 272.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Paden City are operated by Wetzel County Schools.
The district has 4 elementary, several middle, and 5 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.8:1. 14.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Paden City, WV has a population of 2,740, a median household income of $53,833, and an unemployment rate of 5.1%.
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.
Paden City averages 38.3°F in January and 83.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.0 inches
with about 27.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Paden City, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code: 26159.
The population of Paden City, West Virginia is 2,740 with a median age of 41.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Paden City: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $91,700, median household income $53,833, crime index 55 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Paden City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.