Below Average CostSafer than AverageNicholas County Schools
Summersville West Virginia Broad Street · Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / CC BY-SA 2.5Nicholas County Courthouse Summersville · Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / CC BY-SA 2.5
Summersville is a small town of 3,415 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $53,529
and a 5.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Summersville stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Summersville is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Summersville 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: 90.5
Summersville's overall cost of living index is 90.5,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Summersville costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Summersville, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$198,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$559
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$53,529
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Summersville's violent crime rate is 271.2 per 100,000 residents
— 29% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
271.2 /100k
Property Crime
1476.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Summersville is served primarily by Nicholas County Schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Summersville, WV
National Avg
School District
Nicholas County Schools
—
Elementary Schools
9
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
31.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Summersville sees average highs of 40.5°F in January
and 81.4°F in July,
with 49.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 67.6 inches of snow per year.
Summersville's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Summersville roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $198,200 and median rent is $559/month.
Summersville's violent crime rate is 271.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1476.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Summersville are operated by Nicholas County Schools.
The district has 9 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 31.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Summersville, WV has a population of 3,415, a median household income of $53,529, 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.
Summersville averages 40.5°F in January and 81.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.8 inches
with about 67.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Summersville, WV is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 26651, 26679.
The population of Summersville, West Virginia is 3,415 with a median age of 56.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Summersville: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $198,200, median household income $53,529, crime index 71 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Summersville side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
