Terra Alta is a small town of 2,040 in West Virginia, with a median household income of $50,278
and a 8.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Terra Alta 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 Terra Alta is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Terra Alta 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
Terra Alta's overall cost of living index is 92.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Terra Alta costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Terra Alta, WV
National Avg
Median Home Value
$81,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$743
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,278
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Terra Alta'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
Terra Alta 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
Terra Alta, 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
5.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Terra Alta sees average highs of 34.0°F in January
and 76.7°F in July,
with 57.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 171.1 inches of snow per year.
Terra Alta's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Terra Alta roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $81,300 and median rent is $743/month.
Terra Alta'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.
Public schools in Terra Alta 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. 5.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Terra Alta, WV has a population of 2,040, a median household income of $50,278, and an unemployment rate of 8.5%.
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.
Terra Alta averages 34.0°F in January and 76.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 57.0 inches
with about 171.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Terra Alta, WV is covered by 1 ZIP code: 26764.
The population of Terra Alta, West Virginia is 2,040 with a median age of 30.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Terra Alta: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $81,300, median household income $50,278, 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 Terra Alta side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
