Smithers is a small town of 838 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $31,536
and a 5.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Smithers stands out for an affordable cost of living, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Smithers is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Smithers 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
Smithers's overall cost of living index is 89.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Smithers costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Smithers, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
N/A
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$597
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
51.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$31,536
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Smithers's violent crime rate is 122.6 per 100,000 residents
— 68% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
122.6 /100k
Property Crime
1014.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Smithers is served primarily by Fayette County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Smithers, WV
National Avg
School District
Fayette County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
31.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.7%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Smithers sees average highs of 43.1°F in January
and 85.1°F in July,
with 46.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 31.5 inches of snow per year.
Smithers's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Smithers roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is N/A and median rent is $597/month.
Smithers's violent crime rate is 122.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1014.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Smithers are operated by Fayette County Schools.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.0:1. 31.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Smithers, WV has a population of 838, a median household income of $31,536, and an unemployment rate of 5.3%.
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.
Smithers averages 43.1°F in January and 85.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 46.4 inches
with about 31.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Smithers, WV is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 25186, 25036.
The population of Smithers, West Virginia is 838 with a median age of 54.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Smithers: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home N/A, median household income $31,536, crime index 39 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Smithers side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
