West VirginiaPop. 9,671Towns
Is Cross Lanes a Good Place to Live? Cross Lanes, West Virginia: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Cross Lanes ranks #1198 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #212 of 234 towns and #15 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for affordable homes ($153,800, #26 of 231) and low poverty (5.1%, #36 of 234), and trails on long commutes (25.8 min, #181 of 234).
Cross Lanes by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Cross Lanes'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 Cross Lanes: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Cross Lanes safe?
What is the cost of living in Cross Lanes?
Cross Lanes's cost of living index is 88.7, 11% below the US level of 100 and #155 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $949/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,800.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 88.7#155 of 1,308 | 89.5 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $153,800#89 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $949/mo#153 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 2.4x#27 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 17.9%#231 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 Cross Lanes safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Cross Lanes alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes?
The median household in Cross Lanes earns $63,537, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 5% above West Virginia ($60,798). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $63,537#963 of 1,312 | $60,798 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 5.1%#107 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 Cross Lanes?
The median resident of Cross Lanes is 44.3 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 32.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #706 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 73.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 44.3 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 32.4%#706 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 73.7% | 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 Cross Lanes's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Cross Lanes to describe its public schools. 38.3% of adults are obese and 13.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 38.3%#1026 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 13.2%#979 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 20%#1167 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 6.1%#156 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 Cross Lanes?
The average commute in Cross Lanes is 25.8 minutes (West Virginia 26.5); 1.3% of workers take transit and 9.5% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Cross Lanes scores 7.7 of 20 (below average walkable), #1122 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 73.1°F and winters 35.1°F, with 48.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | West VirginiaWV | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 25.8 min#837 of 1,312 | 26.5 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 8%#924 of 1,312 | 9.8% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 80.9% | 77.6% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 1.3% | 0.6% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 0% | 2.6% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.2% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 9.5% | 8.8% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 7.7#1122 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 | 42.5 | 22.9 | 3.5 |
| Feb | 46.3 | 25.1 | 3.3 |
| Mar | 55.6 | 30.9 | 4.4 |
| Apr | 68.1 | 41 | 4.1 |
| May | 75.8 | 51.1 | 5.2 |
| Jun | 82.7 | 59.8 | 4.4 |
| Jul | 85.8 | 63.7 | 5.8 |
| Aug | 85 | 61.9 | 3.7 |
| Sep | 79.6 | 54.6 | 3.5 |
| Oct | 68.4 | 42.3 | 3.1 |
| Nov | 56.7 | 32.3 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 46.6 | 27.2 | 4.1 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Charleston Wfo.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 54.4°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 73.1°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 35.1°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 48.2 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 Charleston Wfo.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Cross Lanes?
Kanawha County's air had a median air quality index of 39, and 77% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Kanawha County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, strong wind, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.34% of building value, higher than 91% of US counties.
| Measure | Cross Lanes | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 39#281 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.34%#1138 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 Kanawha County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Kanawha County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.29% | 99% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0017% | 46% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0017% | 45% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0019% | 40% 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 Cross Lanes compare with similar-size cities?
Cross Lanes is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #212 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 9,671.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Lanes, WVPop. 9,671 | #1198 | 45.1 | $63,537 | $949/mo | no data | 25.8 min |
| Cody, WYPop. 10,276 | #398 | 60.1 | $72,570 | $1,051/mo | 124 | 9.5 min |
| Exeter, NHPop. 9,964 | #158 | 65.9 | $87,346 | $1,711/mo | county/metro | 24 min |
| Brewer, MEPop. 9,652 | #527 | 57.7 | $66,613 | $1,086/mo | 31 | 16.9 min |
| Tanaina, AKPop. 9,646 | #923 | 51.4 | $105,536 | $1,398/mo | no data | 37.9 min |
| Evergreen, MTPop. 9,611 | #991 | 50.3 | $76,446 | $1,166/mo | no data | 19.6 min |
| Wakefield-Peace Dale, RIPop. 9,302 | #282 | 62.5 | $106,551 | $1,258/mo | no data | 24 min |
| Bennington, VTPop. 9,245 | #603 | 56.7 | $54,257 | $1,115/mo | county/metro | 17.2 min |
| Gretna, NEPop. 9,193 | #173 | 65.3 | $123,992 | $1,540/mo | no data | 21.1 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 Cross Lanes compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Cross Lanes ranks #15 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 45.1 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 5% 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 Cross Lanes's score calculated?
Cross Lanes scores 45.1 out of 100, #1198 of 1,312 (grade D, 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 Cross Lanes. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
24.8 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Cross Lanes. Similar-size median 56.5.
39.2 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Cross Lanes's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
86.4 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Cross Lanes. Similar-size median 50.8.
58.5 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Cross Lanes. Similar-size median 48.3.
39.2 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Cross Lanes's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
35.3 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
35.6 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Cross Lanes alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Cross Lanes.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Cross Lanes.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Cross Lanes'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 Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes
Is Cross Lanes, WV a good place to live?
Cross Lanes ranks #1198 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #212 of 234 towns and #15 of 20 in West Virginia. Against similar-size cities it stands out for affordable homes ($153,800, #26 of 231) and low poverty (5.1%, #36 of 234), and trails on long commutes (25.8 min, #181 of 234).
What is the cost of living in Cross Lanes?
Cross Lanes's cost of living index is 88.7, 11% below the US level of 100 and #155 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $949/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,800.
Is Cross Lanes safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Cross Lanes alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Cross Lanes 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 Cross Lanes?
The median household in Cross Lanes earns $63,537, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 5% above West Virginia ($60,798). 5.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Cross Lanes?
Median rent in Cross Lanes is $949/mo (Census), #153 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 17.9% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Cross Lanes?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Cross Lanes is $153,800, #89 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Cross Lanes?
We have too few school records for Cross Lanes to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Cross Lanes?
The average commute is 25.8 minutes, #837 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 26.5 minutes across West Virginia. 8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Cross Lanes?
Cross Lanes averages 54.4°F over the year, 73.1°F in summer and 35.1°F in winter, with 48.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Cross Lanes walkable?
Cross Lanes scores 7.7 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1122 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 Cross Lanes at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Kanawha County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, strong wind, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.34% of building value, higher than 91% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Cross Lanes?
Kanawha County's air had a median air quality index of 39, and 77% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Cross Lanes?
Cross Lanes has 9,671 residents. The median resident of Cross Lanes is 44.3 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 32.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #706 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 73.7% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Cross Lanes compare with the rest of West Virginia?
Cross Lanes ranks #15 of the 20 West Virginia cities we track, with a score of 45.1 against West Virginia's statewide 42.8. Its households earn 5% above the West Virginia median.
What cities are similar in size to Cross Lanes?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Cross Lanes's population of 9,671 are Cody, WY (#398 overall), Exeter, NH (#158 overall), Brewer, ME (#527 overall), Tanaina, AK (#923 overall), and Evergreen, MT (#991 overall). Cross Lanes is #1198.