Cost of Living & Housing in War
War's cost of living centers on genuinely, substantially minimal housing costs, set against McDowell County's real, documented, severe economic distress -- disclosed honestly rather than softened.
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Learn moreGenuinely minimal housing costs
War's own current median MLS listing price ran approximately $43,000, closely matching McDowell County's broader median home value of approximately $43,700 (base record).
McDowell County's own 1.36% property tax rate, above state and national medians
No War-specific property tax rate was found this pass -- McDowell County's own median effective rate (1.36%, Ownwell) runs above both the national median (1.02%) and West Virginia's own statewide anchor figures, though the resulting dollar bills stay minimal given the area's low home values (base record).
West Virginia's 4.58% top income tax rate and full Social Security exemption
West Virginia's real, current 2026 individual income tax tops out at a 4.58% marginal rate on income above $60,000, with a full exemption for Social Security income complete for tax year 2026 (base record).
A real, documented, severe local poverty rate
War's own poverty rate ran approximately 35-38% depending on source -- roughly 198% above the national average -- a real, disclosed economic reality this record does not soften (base record).
Key takeaways
- War's housing costs run genuinely minimal: a current median listing price of approximately $43,000.
- McDowell County's own 1.36% property tax rate runs above both national and West Virginia statewide medians, though dollar bills stay minimal.
- West Virginia's 4.58% top income tax rate and full Social Security exemption apply in War as they do statewide.
- War's own poverty rate runs approximately 35-38%, among the highest of any West Virginia community -- disclosed honestly.
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