49th
OVERALL STATE RANK
The average cost of assisted living in West Virginia is $4,699 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, from historic Harpers Ferry to small towns like Harrisville, assisted living communities across West Virginia offer a supportive, home-like setting for older adults. These communities provide help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, along with supervision and social opportunities. Some may also offer limited nursing services, allowing residents to remain in place as their care needs change.
State scorecard
How we determine rankings
Our 2023 state ranking for assisted living uses A Place for Mom’s proprietary data collected from our community partners. First, we sorted through our metrics and grouped them into three pillars that are key in a quality assisted living experience. We weighted these pillars differently based on insights from our senior living experts. Then, we used these categories and their weighting to determine how each state ranks.
Top ranked West Virginia cities for assisted living overall
Key findings
Top ranked West Virginia cities - Services & Amenities
Key findings
West Virginia vs. the national monthly median cost of assisted living
Top ranked West Virginia cities - Affordability
Key findings
Top ranked West Virginia cities - Ratings
I have not visited my in-laws in over a month but I talk to her every day. She mostly comes across being very happy at Brookdale Charleston Gardens. She always says positive things about the staff. I don't...
Promised and told thing (marketing) but not really true ie: -Changing bedding -Cleaning rooms activities -Health maintenance like weigh ins
I was very impressed with how clean the facility looked and the size of the rooms. The staff also was very friendly during our visit.
What we like the most about Harmony at Morgantown is the super friendly staff. It is also very light and bright. Gourmet food. Facility has assisted living and independent living, so there is life and...
The friendly and caring staff are the hallmark of Evergreen Assisted Living. The meals are as expected.. Average. Activities are limited. They need an activities director.
The raise in January on monthly bill. Way too much in our opinion. Love the daily staff and their care. Very kind and helpful with Mom. Have had some issues with the cleaning of her room.
Promised and told thing (marketing) but not really true ie: -Changing bedding -Cleaning rooms activities -Health maintenance like weigh ins
I have not visited my in-laws in over a month but I talk to her every day. She mostly comes across being very happy at Brookdale Charleston Gardens. She always says positive things about the staff. I don't...
It was exactly what we were looking for after we visited other places in the area. Food is very good. My husband usually eats everything he is served. I've eaten there as well, and enjoyed it.
I have not visited my in-laws in over a month but I talk to her every day. She mostly comes across being very happy at Brookdale Charleston Gardens. She always says positive things about the staff. I don't...
It was exactly what we were looking for after we visited other places in the area. Food is very good. My husband usually eats everything he is served. I've eaten there as well, and enjoyed it.
We would highly recommend Rolling Meadows. The staff is attentive and very easy to deal with. They made this hard transition a much easier process! We picked them because of the affordability and location
I was very impressed with how clean the facility looked and the size of the rooms. The staff also was very friendly during our visit.
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, the average cost of assisted living in West Virginia is $4,699 per month or $56,388 per year, which is comparable to the national average. These rates are provided by our partner communities in the state.[01] Location, level of care, offered amenities, and other factors can affect the total cost of assisted living.
Compared with its neighbors, West Virginia’s assisted living communities are less expensive than those in Virginia and Ohio, but more costly than those in North Carolina and Kentucky. Throughout the state, costs vary too. In the southwestern corner on the Kentucky border, Huntington offers some savings compared to the state’s average. In Charles Town, closer to Maryland, the cost of assisted living communities may be as much as $1,000 or more per month more than the state average.
Seniors who are able to live on their own can consider independent living in the state, which costs about $170 less per month than assisted living.
Read more:Assisted Living vs. Independent Living: What’s the Difference?
Average monthly costs
West Virginia
US National average
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
Average monthly costs
| Community type | West Virginia | U.S. | Cost difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $4,705/mo | $4,752/mo | 1.0% below national median |
| Memory Care | $4,728/mo | $5,015/mo | 5.7% below national median |
| Independent Living | $4,534/mo | $4,211/mo | 7.7% above national median |
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
In West Virginia, most families use a combination of private funds and public programs to cover the costs associated with assisted living. Because costs and eligibility can vary widely, it’s best to plan early to understand which payment options apply to your loved one’s situation. For an in-depth look at different payment options, visit our complete guide to paying for long-term care.
Private pay is the most common way for families in West Virginia to pay for assisted living. Options may include savings accounts or retirement pensions, as well as the proceeds from selling house, life insurance, or long-term care insurance. Keep in mind that your loved one’s Social Security benefits are also a source of personal income, which can be used to pay for assisted living.
If your senior loved one or their spouse served in the U.S. military, they may qualify for some benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To ensure your loved one has access to all the benefits to which they’re entitled, it’s a good idea to work with an accredited veterans service officer (VSO). Qualified counselors can help you and your family identify and apply for suitable benefits, file a claim, or appeal a denied claim.
In West Virginia, contact a local office of the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance, where benefits counselors are accredited by multiple service organizations, including the American Legion, American Red Cross, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fleet Reserve Association, Marine Corps League, and others.[02]
Medicaid is a joint program of the federal and state governments and is designed to support people who have low incomes and those who have disabilities. West Virginia Medicaid doesn’t pay for room and board in assisted living, but it can be used to cover certain medical expenses for people who live in an assisted living community, such as:[03]
In some cases, West Virginia’s Personal Care Services program, part of the state’s regular Medicaid plan, may cover some personal care services for seniors in assisted living, but the program won’t cover duplicate services that are already being provided by the community.[04]
If you or your loved one has questions about West Virginia Medicaid, call 304-414-0047, email OSAPATHHELP@WV.GOV, or visit a local office of the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program. It provides coverage to any U.S. citizen aged 65 or older and some people with disabilities. Medicare doesn’t cover room and board in assisted living, but it can help cover medically necessary expenses, such as skilled nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as durable medical equipment, medical supplies, and prescription medications.[05]
In West Virginia, seniors who meet income and asset requirements may qualify for the state’s Medicare Premium Assistance program.[06] This program helps eligible seniors pay for Medicare premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.
For free and unbiased information about Medicare, West Virginia seniors and their families can contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 877-987-4463 or find a local benefits counselor.
In West Virginia, the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification at the Department of Health and Human Resources oversees licensing for two types of residential care settings: assisted living residences (ALRs) and residential care communities (RCCs).
Both types of communities are inspected at licensure and again on an ongoing basis.
Use the Office of Health Facility’s Licensure and Certification’s Health Care Facility Lookup to learn about a community’s license status and health and safety inspections.
State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.
Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.
Let our care assessment guide you
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
A Place for Mom. (2026). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
State of West Virgina Department of Veterans Assistance. Veterans benefits.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Medical Services. (2025). Your guide to Medicaid 2025.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid Personal Care Services program.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Get started with Medicare. Medicare.gov.
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. Medicare premium assistance.
West Virginia Code. Article 5: Assisted living residences.
West Virginia Code. Article 5: Assisted living residences.
Assisted living state rankings report
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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