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Considered one of the best affordable places to live in West Virginia, Weirton is located along the Ohio River, nestled between the borders of Ohio and Pennsylvania. There is no shortage of things to do in Weirton, with many museums, shops, and restaurants in town. Its location on the river also means it’s a great place to explore the outdoors. Families will appreciate that the public schools in Weirton are above average.

With a home price-to-income ratio of 2.35, Weirton is an affordable place to buy for the first-time homebuyer.

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Clarksburg is located in the north-central part of the state along the West Fork River. Residents of the city can experience restaurants, historic buildings and homes, and outdoor activities like golf, hiking, and waterparks. The city is a good place to live overall, with high-quality housing and vibrant nightlife. Clarksburg is also a good place to raise a family.

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Charleston is the capital of and most populous city in West Virginia. The city is also located along the Kanawha River and the Elk River. Charleston residents can enjoy plenty of enjoyable activities, including museums, festivals, restaurants, and a minor league baseball team. Also, there are regular events held at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

If you are raising a family, Weirton pops up again on this list. As noted earlier, this is among the lowest cost-of-living towns in the state, so you won’t have to worry about exorbitant prices, either. And parents will appreciate its above-average schools and recreation options for their kids.

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Moundsville is located on the Ohio River near the Pennsylvania border. It has plenty of places for families to explore: It’s home to the largest conical burial ground in North America and Grand View Park, where residents can enjoy outdoor activities. The city is a good place to raise a family thanks to a low cost of living and quality housing. Parents also appreciate the local school system, and the town of 7,000-plus rates well for job prospects.

If you are thinking of buying a home in Moundsville, it can be wise to learn the difference between mortgage prequalification vs. preapproval, so you can get the ball rolling.

Nitro is a city on the Kanawha River, about 20 minutes from Charleston. While Charleston is affordable, prices are even lower in Nitro. It’s also an all-around good place to live, with an array of housing options and a low cost of living. Families may especially appreciate its strong school system. With its name coming from the World War I era, Nitro is considered a living World War I memorial. You can learn about the city’s connection to World War I at the Nitro War Museum.

Looking for one of the best places to live in West Virginia if you’re a young adult? Consider Barboursville, a village conveniently located next to I-64 in Cabell County. The village is part of the Huntington metropolitan area. Like Huntington, Barboursville is near the borders of Ohio and Kentucky. Barboursville is one of the best places to live in West Virginia overall, but young adults might feel especially at home here thanks to its great nightlife, low cost of living, and access to health and fitness facilities. It also has short commute times.

If you’re ready to jump into the housing market, getting preapproved for a loan may help. You may want to learn about the mortgage preapproval process, which could give you an edge.

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Charleston makes the list again, this time as one of the best places for young adults in the state. The city has a good job market, a great nightlife scene, and a low cost of living. It’s also a good city for outdoor activities, and many residents enjoy the healthy lifestyle that results.

If you’re thinking of putting down roots in this city, first-time homebuyer programs in West Virginia can help you afford the purchase of a property.

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Bridgeport is located in the north-central part of the state, just east of Clarksburg. One of the fastest-growing cities in the state, it stands out for its excellent job market. It also has a solid selection of nightlife and outdoor activities, as well as excellent health and fitness facilities.

If you need a mortgage in Bridgeport, consider these tips to qualify for a mortgage. You may also note that rents are higher in Bridgeport than in some other towns on this list.

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Bluefield makes another appearance on this list, here as a great place for retirees for several reasons. For one, property tax in the city is low. In addition, West Virginia phased out state Social Security taxes. Also, people 65 and older make up a significant portion of the city’s population at about 20%.

With such a low cost of living, if you decide to buy in Bluefield, it’s highly unlikely that you would need a jumbo mortgage loan.

Yes, it’s Weirton on our list again. Almost a quarter of the population is 65 and over in Weirton, so those in or nearing retirement should have plenty of peers to hang out with. The city has lots to do with museums and restaurants, plus walking paths and bike trails. Overall, the cost of living is quite low, making it an attractive place to retire.

Dunbar is a good place to retire, whether you want things to do or just relax. With easy access to Charleston and South Charleston, there are many things to see and do within reach. There are parks, museums, burial mounds, and other attractions. Plus, Dunbar’s overall cost of living is low, although rents have been rising.

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Fairmont is located in north-central West Virginia, and its history dates back to the 18th century. Downtown Fairmont is on the Monongahela River, and the West Fork River meets the Monongahela not far from downtown. However, you’ll want to go a little farther out to Valley Falls State Fork if you want to get the best look at the water. The park has 18 miles of hiking trails, and you can fish and kayak in the river.

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Parkersburg is the fourth-largest city in West Virginia and sits at the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio rivers. As one of the larger cities in West Virginia, there is a lot to do in Parkersburg. For instance, you can take a ferry from Point Park to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and visit the Blennerhassett Mansion. You can also visit the WineTree Vineyards or see a performance at the Smoot Theater.

If you decide to buy in Parkersburg and take out a mortgage with a high rate, a mortgage refinance could help later if interest rates dip.

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You can’t miss Fayetteville if you want to be near the water, as it’s not too far from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The park features the New River Gorge Bridge, which is right next to Fayetteville. It crosses the New River into Lansing. Activities in or near the river and state park include white-water rafting, ziplining, and ATV tours. Beyond outdoor adventures, the town has plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars to keep residents entertained.

Grafton is arguably one of the best places to live in North Dakota from a cost perspective. There’s always something fun to do here year-round, whether it’s ice skating at the local rinks in winter or hiking the scenic trails of Icelandic State Park in the spring and summer. The low price-to-income ratio could be considered the sweet spot for people who are looking to buy on a budget.

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Jamestown sits approximately halfway between Fargo and Bismarck, both of which are roughly a 90-minute drive in either direction. One of the things Jamestown is notable for, aside from being one of the most affordable cities in North Dakota, is its love of the buffalo. Here, you’ll find both the National Buffalo Museum and the World’s Largest Buffalo.

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Valley City is about an hour’s drive from Fargo, which could make it appealing for people who don’t mind a longer commute. The cost of living is much less than the national average, and while the city is small, it doesn’t lack any of the basic amenities you’d expect to find. There are more than 30 parks in the city, including Medicine Wheel Park, which could be perfect if you like enjoying the fresh air.

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West Fargo is a suburb of Fargo and quite a few families live here, along with young professionals and retirees. Some of the best things about raising kids here include convenient access to education and the many different options you have for dining, shopping, and recreation. The Red River Zoo and Bonanzaville (a museum and village on the outskirts of West Fargo) are just two of the top attractions you might want to explore in the Fargo area.

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Ellendale is about two-and-a-half hours by car from the state capital, Bismarck, and it could be suited to families who are interested in smaller-town living. Given its size, there aren’t quite as many amenities here as there are in other North Dakota cities on this list. But you might not mind if you’re looking for a quieter place to call home.

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Horace is a smaller suburb of Fargo, and it’s only a 20-minute drive into the city, which could make it a good choice for planning a day trip with the kids or commuting to work. You’ll pay a little more to rent a home here, but overall the cost of living is still below the national average. Families appreciate the quality of the local school system and the close-knit feel.

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Fargo is the largest city in the Peace Garden State, and it’s a magnet for job-seekers as well as young adults who are interested in getting an education at North Dakota State University. The population has a median age of around 31, and most residents are single, childless, and hold at least one college degree. When you’re looking for something to do, you’ve got your choice of parks, local cafes and restaurants, shopping, and historical sites. You might assume renting or buying in Fargo would be expensive because it is one of the state’s larger cities, but that isn’t the case.

Westgate is a neighborhood in Fargo where you’ll find plenty of younger professionals. The median age is 33 years old, and there are a significant number of childless singles, with a fairly even split between men and women. Nearly half of the population is college-educated, and most people work for private companies in white-collar jobs. On average, homeowners pay more for property taxes here, but you won’t need a jumbo mortgage loan to buy a property.

Osgood is one of Fargo’s newest suburban neighborhoods, with a small but rapidly growing population. The area is mostly populated by younger professionals, many of whom work for private companies and earn a higher median household income. In terms of housing, there’s a fairly even split between renters and homeowners here. North Dakota offers a first-time homebuyer program, which is a great incentive to consider owning a property versus renting one.

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Minot is a larger city of almost 50,000 residents, and it has some great things to offer retirees. For example, if you’re interested in going back to school, you might enroll in classes at Minot State University. Or if you want to get out and see the sights, you can visit one of the many museums or cultural attractions in the area. And there are plenty of doctors to choose from when you need routine or specialty care.

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Grand Forks lies about an hour north of Fargo, and it’s just next door to Grand Forks Air Force Base. The city has a relaxed feel, and even though it’s a larger metro area, there are plenty of spaces to enjoy the outdoors and breathe the fresh air. The University of North Dakota is located here if you’re interested in going to school in retirement, and there are a number of doctors in the area specializing in geriatric medicine.

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Bismarck sits adjacent to the Missouri River, and it’s one of North Dakota’s largest cities by population. The median age of residents is a bit younger, but there are plenty of retirees living in the city and its surrounding suburbs. Bismarck is known for its excellent health care system, which might be a mark in its favor for retirees with chronic or serious medical issues. There’s no shortage of things to do and see either. The local housing market shows a median list price in early 2025 of around $418,000.

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Williston is tucked away in the northwest corner of the state, not far from the Montana border. The area is suited for lots of outdoor activities, including bird watching, fishing, and even hunting if you’re so inclined. If you’re interested in getting on the water, you can go kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing at Lewis & Clark State Park.

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Dickinson is next door to Theodore Roosevelt State Park and the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, where you’ll find some of the most impressive views around. There are trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, along with opportunities for fishing, hunting, and canoeing. If you’re interested in whitewater rafting and don’t mind a drive, you can do that in nearby Bismarck.

Walhalla lies along the Canadian border, and it’s the northernmost city to be featured on our list. One of the major attractions in the area is the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, which is a top destination for hiking, ATV riding, kayaking, and horseback riding. In winter, you can head to Frost Fire Park for skiing and snowboarding. A home affordability calculator can give you a better idea of what you can realistically spend if you’re hoping to buy.