Baker, WV Utility & Living Guide

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Baker, WV Utility & Living Guide

A baker is a tradesperson who bakes and sometimes sells breads and other products made of flour by using an oven or other concentrated heat source. The place where a baker works is called a bakery.

Last updated: June 26, 2026
Total Utilities$250/mo
1BR Rent$800/mo
Sales Tax6%
COL Index94 (-6% below national average)
Family Score8/10
Median Home$180,000
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⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Baker
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💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$140/mo

FirstEnergy
🔥 Gas

N/A - Electric only
💧 Water

$30/mo

Hardy County Public Service District
🗑️ Garbage

$20/mo

Hardy County Solid Waste Authority
📶 Internet

$60/mo

Combined Average Overhead$250/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$800/mo
2 Bedrooms$1000/mo
3 Bedrooms$1400/mo
Median Home Price$180,000
Property Tax Rate0.65%
Avg Childcare/mo$900

The housing market in Baker is relatively affordable with a range of options from older homes to newer constructions. Rentals are also available but limited. The area is attracting retirees and young families due to its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

94

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

-6% below national average

Groceries

97

Transportation

88

Healthcare

105

Childcare/mo

$900

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax6%
Property Tax Rate0.65%
<p>State 6% + County 0% + City 0%</p>

West Virginia has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 3% to 6.5%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
8/10
Safety Index

70

Higher = safer
School Rating

7/10

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$900/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
+2% (growing)
Political Climate
Red
Business Momentum
Moderate with key industries in tourism, healthcare, and small manufacturing
Top Local Concerns
Economic development, infrastructure, environmental conservation
🚌 Transit for Families

Public transit is limited, but the town is relatively small and walkable, with some sidewalks and crosswalks

🎡 Top Kid Attractions
  • 🎯
    Lost River State Park
  • 🎯
    Seneca Caverns
  • 🎯
    Smoke Hole Caverns

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The area around the town center offers a mix of older and newer homes and is within walking distance to local amenities. The outskirts of town provide more rural settings with larger properties.

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Baker based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Zoning laws are in place to preserve the town’s character and environmental regulations aim to protect the area’s natural resources

Financial Tools

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📊 Baker — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Baker fluctuate by season, with higher electricity bills in summer due to air conditioning and lower bills in winter. However, the area's mild winters mean that heating costs are relatively low compared to other parts of the country.

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 26801 has a property tax millage rate of 15.5 mills, with no local surtaxes

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6 - Baker has some sidewalks and crosswalks, especially in the town center, but the area is not extensively stroller-friendly due to the rural nature of the surroundings and limited public transit

📍 Baker City Stories

Baker, West Virginia — Deputy national security adviser Andy Baker to leave White H

For residents of Baker, West Virginia, the news that Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker is leaving the...

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