West VirginiaPop. 10,902Towns
Is Cheat Lake a Good Place to Live? Cheat Lake, West Virginia: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Cheat Lake ranks #294 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #50 of 234 towns and #2 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high household income ($117,014, #24 of 234) and low poverty (6.5%, #51 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
Cheat Lake by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Cheat Lake's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Cheat Lake: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Cheat Lake safe?
What is the cost of living in Cheat Lake?
Cheat Lake's cost of living index is 93.3, 7% below the US level of 100 and #389 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,124/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $367,600.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 93.3#389 of 1,308 | 89.5 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $367,600#707 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,124/mo#364 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.1x#230 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 11.5%#5 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is Cheat Lake safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Cheat Lake alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Cheat Lake crime rate or rank it on safety. West Virginia as a whole records 242 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Cheat Lake?
The median household in Cheat Lake earns $117,014, 41% above the US figure of $83,163 and 92% above West Virginia ($60,798). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $117,014#180 of 1,312 | $60,798 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 6.5%#212 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Cheat Lake?
The median resident of Cheat Lake is 40.6 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 61.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #111 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 83.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 40.6 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 61.8%#111 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 83.2% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Cheat Lake's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Cheat Lake to describe its public schools. 30.3% of adults are obese and 10.6% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 30.3%#410 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 10.6%#524 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 16.5%#522 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 4.8%#51 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Cheat Lake?
The average commute in Cheat Lake is 23.8 minutes (West Virginia 26.5); 0% of workers take transit and 13.8% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Cheat Lake scores 6.7 of 20 (below average walkable), #1265 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.4°F and winters 34.4°F, with 43.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 23.8 min#664 of 1,312 | 26.5 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 5%#570 of 1,312 | 9.8% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 78.7% | 77.6% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 0.6% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 0.1% | 2.6% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.2% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 13.8% | 8.8% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 6.7#1265 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). West Virginia is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40.1 | 24 | 3.1 |
| Feb | 43.7 | 25.8 | 2.8 |
| Mar | 52.6 | 32.6 | 3.7 |
| Apr | 65.2 | 42.4 | 3.9 |
| May | 73.6 | 51.5 | 4.3 |
| Jun | 80.9 | 59.7 | 4.1 |
| Jul | 84.4 | 63.8 | 4.9 |
| Aug | 83.1 | 62.5 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 77.1 | 55.9 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 65.9 | 44.7 | 3.1 |
| Nov | 54.1 | 35.8 | 3 |
| Dec | 44.3 | 28.6 | 3.2 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Morgantown Muni Airport.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 53.8°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 72.4°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 34.4°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 43.2 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Morgantown Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Cheat Lake?
Monongalia County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Monongalia County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, lower than 51% of US counties.
| Measure | Cheat Lake | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 42#457 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 1#309 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.15%#664 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Monongalia County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Monongalia County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.13% | 84% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0013% | 53% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0018% | 46% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0024% | 25% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Cheat Lake compare with similar-size cities?
Cheat Lake is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #50 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 10,902.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheat Lake, WVPop. 10,902 | #294 | 62.2 | $117,014 | $1,124/mo | no data | 23.8 min |
| Orono, MEPop. 11,151 | #526 | 57.7 | $59,784 | $1,280/mo | part year | 15.2 min |
| Newport East, RIPop. 11,069 | #465 | 58.7 | $89,028 | $1,876/mo | no data | 20.5 min |
| Brandon, SDPop. 10,996 | #60 | 70.0 | $110,806 | $976/mo | 46 | 18.4 min |
| Lexington, NEPop. 10,862 | #781 | 53.6 | $67,666 | $966/mo | 79 | 16.1 min |
| Riverton, WYPop. 10,856 | #1179 | 45.8 | $55,208 | $921/mo | 817 | 14.5 min |
| Essex Junction, VTPop. 10,803 | #49 | 70.9 | $89,257 | $1,544/mo | no data | 19.2 min |
| Durham, NHPop. 10,681 | #42 | 71.2 | $112,070 | $1,302/mo | 92 | 17.2 min |
| North Lakes, AKPop. 10,223 | #734 | 54.4 | $101,679 | $1,441/mo | no data | 30.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Cheat Lake compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Cheat Lake ranks #2 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 62.2 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 92% above the West Virginia median.
| City | Rank in WV | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, WVPop. 9,252 | #1 | 62.8 | $100,022 | $1,105/mo | 74 |
| Cheat Lake, WVPop. 10,902 | #2 | 62.2 | $117,014 | $1,124/mo | no data |
| Teays Valley, WVPop. 14,151 | #3 | 57.8 | $108,741 | $1,102/mo | no data |
| Morgantown, WVPop. 30,236 | #4 | 52.8 | $44,727 | $937/mo | 239 |
| Weirton, WVPop. 18,647 | #5 | 50.4 | $59,575 | $746/mo | 83 |
| Charleston, WVPop. 47,421 | #6 | 48.6 | $65,812 | $908/mo | 596 |
| Fairmont, WVPop. 18,221 | #7 | 48.4 | $63,032 | $916/mo | 395 |
| Parkersburg, WVPop. 29,240 | #8 | 47.8 | $49,025 | $785/mo | 269 |
| Vienna, WVPop. 10,518 | #9 | 47.8 | $60,388 | $809/mo | 174 |
| Martinsburg, WVPop. 18,904 | #10 | 47.6 | $59,555 | $1,150/mo | 221 |
| Wheeling, WVPop. 26,350 | #11 | 47.0 | $48,590 | $794/mo | 816 |
| St. Albans, WVPop. 10,522 | #12 | 47.0 | $53,972 | $931/mo | 118 |
| Moundsville, WVPop. 7,869 | #13 | 46.3 | $49,048 | $834/mo | 263 |
| Clarksburg, WVPop. 15,549 | #14 | 46.1 | $47,386 | $790/mo | 278 |
| Cross Lanes, WVPop. 9,671 | #15 | 45.1 | $63,537 | $949/mo | no data |
| Bluefield, WVPop. 9,387 | #16 | 44.7 | $49,375 | $804/mo | 365 |
| Oak Hill, WVPop. 7,937 | #17 | 44.7 | $52,466 | $847/mo | 92 |
| Huntington, WVPop. 45,787 | #18 | 44.2 | $45,100 | $912/mo | 670 |
| South Charleston, WVPop. 13,457 | #19 | 42.1 | $63,884 | $844/mo | 446 |
| Beckley, WVPop. 16,818 | #20 | 34.1 | $45,826 | $869/mo | 716 |
All 20 West Virginia cities we track, by overall score. West Virginia statewide: median income $60,798, violent crime 241.7 per 100,000.
How is Cheat Lake's score calculated?
Cheat Lake scores 62.2 out of 100, #294 of 1,312 (grade B+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with West Virginia's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Cheat Lake. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
71.3 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Cheat Lake. Similar-size median 56.5.
62.1 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Cheat Lake's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
72.5 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Cheat Lake. Similar-size median 50.8.
79.2 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Cheat Lake. Similar-size median 48.3.
45.9 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Cheat Lake's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
30.0 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
53.6 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Cheat Lake alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Cheat Lake.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Cheat Lake.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Cheat Lake's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Cheat Lake has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Cheat Lake
Is Cheat Lake, WV a good place to live?
Cheat Lake ranks #294 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #50 of 234 towns and #2 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for high household income ($117,014, #24 of 234) and low poverty (6.5%, #51 of 234), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in Cheat Lake?
Cheat Lake's cost of living index is 93.3, 7% below the US level of 100 and #389 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,124/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $367,600.
Is Cheat Lake safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Cheat Lake alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Cheat Lake crime rate or rank it on safety. West Virginia as a whole records 242 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Cheat Lake?
The median household in Cheat Lake earns $117,014, 41% above the US figure of $83,163 and 92% above West Virginia ($60,798). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Cheat Lake?
Median rent in Cheat Lake is $1,124/mo (Census), #364 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 11.5% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Cheat Lake?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Cheat Lake is $367,600, #707 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Cheat Lake?
We have too few school records for Cheat Lake to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Cheat Lake?
The average commute is 23.8 minutes, #664 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.5 minutes across West Virginia. 5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Cheat Lake?
Cheat Lake averages 53.8°F over the year, 72.4°F in summer and 34.4°F in winter, with 43.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Cheat Lake walkable?
Cheat Lake scores 6.7 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1265 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Cheat Lake at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Monongalia County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.15% of building value, lower than 51% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Cheat Lake?
Monongalia County's air had a median air quality index of 42, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 1 day was unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Cheat Lake?
Cheat Lake has 10,902 residents. The median resident of Cheat Lake is 40.6 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 61.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #111 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 83.2% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Cheat Lake compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Cheat Lake ranks #2 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 62.2 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 92% above the West Virginia median.
What cities are similar in size to Cheat Lake?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Cheat Lake's population of 10,902 are Orono, ME (#526 overall), Newport East, RI (#465 overall), Brandon, SD (#60 overall), Lexington, NE (#781 overall), and Riverton, WY (#1179 overall). Cheat Lake is #294.