2016-06-25 16 07 31 View east along West Virginia State Route 9 (Henry W Miller Highway) at Depot Street in Paw Paw, Morgan County, West Virginia · Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Meanders Potomac Paw Paw air · Jstuby at en.wikipedia / Public domain2016-06-25 16 07 57 View east along West Virginia State Route 9 (Henry W Miller Highway) just east of Apple Way in Paw Paw, Morgan County, West Virginia · Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0Candocanal · Michael Kreiser / Public domain
Paw Paw is a small town of 463 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $58,750
and a 14.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Paw Paw stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Paw Paw is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Paw Paw 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: 85.8
Paw Paw's overall cost of living index is 85.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Paw Paw costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Paw Paw, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$84,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
66.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,750
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Paw Paw's violent crime rate is 123.6 per 100,000 residents
— 67% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
123.6 /100k
Property Crime
1050.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Paw Paw is served primarily by Morgan County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Paw Paw, WV
National Avg
School District
Morgan County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
5.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
72.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Paw Paw sees average highs of 39.9°F in January
and 85.1°F in July,
with 42.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 28.7 inches of snow per year.
Paw Paw's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Paw Paw roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $84,100 and median rent is $1,000/month.
Paw Paw's violent crime rate is 123.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1050.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Paw Paw are operated by Morgan County Schools.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.8:1. 5.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Paw Paw, WV has a population of 463, a median household income of $58,750, and an unemployment rate of 14.2%.
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.
Paw Paw averages 39.9°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 42.8 inches
with about 28.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Paw Paw, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code: 25434.
The population of Paw Paw, West Virginia is 463 with a median age of 47.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Paw Paw: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $84,100, median household income $58,750, crime index 40 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Paw Paw side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.