West Virginia Department of Commerce Population Centers

Forbes magazine ranks Charleston and Huntington in its Best Places for Business and Careers list. Morgantown, Wheeling, Parkersburg and Weirton were among the nation's Best Small Places for Business and Careers.

West Virginia's livable cities provide the right balance between work and play -- leaving you more time for the things that matter:

• You can buy more home for less money here than in larger metro areas.
• Energy costs are low. The cost of living is more than seven percent below the U.S. average.
• West Virginia's crime rate is among the lowest in the country.
• Low property taxes contribute to the highest home ownership rates in the country.

Whether you’re starting a career or a family -- or if you are ready to enjoy an empty nest -- West Virginia’s cities deliver big-city amenities, without the hassle or the traffic.

Read profiles of West Virginia's 20 largest cities: