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Retirement community in Parkersburg, West Virginia

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Parkersburg, West Virginia Retirement Guide

established retirement community
56

Retirement Score

Parkersburg, West Virginia at a Glance

Median Home Price
$104,200
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security taxation reduced via phase-down; partial pension deductions apply.
Avg January Low
26.3°F
Cost of Living Index
89.2 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
56 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Parkersburg, West Virginia, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
89.2 (U.S. avg = 100)Low confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$41,921High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Parkersburg's cost of living is 10.799999999999997% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$104,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$758High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
63.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Parkersburg using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$226

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$254

Median home price used: $104,200

Median rent reference: $758 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Parkersburg, West Virginia after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
39.6 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
39.6 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
59.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Parkersburg scores 39.6 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Parkersburg

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Parkersburg

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security taxation reduced via phase-down; partial pension deductions apply.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

West Virginia has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
85.7°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
26.3°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
42.5"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
277 daysMedium confidence

With 277 sunny days a year and an average January low of 26.3°F, Parkersburg offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
41.9 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
6.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
29,685High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
42.0High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
21.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
10.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
17.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
93.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
1.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
1.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
0.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Parkersburg

Is Parkersburg, West Virginia a good place to retire?

Parkersburg, West Virginia is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, West Virginia for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 89, roughly 11% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $104,200.

Does West Virginia tax Social Security or retirement income?

For West Virginia residents: State income tax; Social Security taxation reduced via phase-down; partial pension deductions apply.

What is the climate like in Parkersburg, West Virginia?

Parkersburg, West Virginia has January average low around 26°F, July average high around 86°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Parkersburg, West Virginia?

Parkersburg scores 40/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a adequate score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

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