Buying a home in West Virginia
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in West Virginia.
For home buyers in West Virginia: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
How we estimated
$1.10 per $500 (W. Va. Code §11-22-2(a), now retained by counties) plus a county tax of at least $0.55 per $500 (up to $1.65; §11-22-2(b)) and a $20 affordable-housing fee. Paid by the grantor (seller) unless the buyer accepts the deed unpaid. Shown at the minimum county rate. Sources: W. Va. Code §11-22-2. Checked 2026-10-15.At West Virginia's effective rate of 0.53%, a typical $176,576 home would owe about $936/year ($78/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
West Virginia Housing Development Fund
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit West Virginia Housing Development Fund →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in West Virginia?
The effective property tax rate in West Virginia is 0.53%: the median tax of $865 divided by the median home value of $162,600 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in West Virginia?
$176,576 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in West Virginia?
West Virginia Housing Development Fund, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
Mortgage rates, home prices and saving tips, every week.
One short email with this week's rate move, local price trends and a plan to grow your down payment. Unsubscribe anytime.