Alderson, WV vs Union, WV

Union is moderately more affordable than Alderson, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Alderson scores 63 compared to 57 for Union, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Alderson can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alderson is $724/month compared to $418/month in Union — a 73% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Union has cheaper rent, Alderson actually has lower median home values ($119,200 vs $158,000).

Median household income in Alderson is $33,794 compared to $32,281 in Union (+4.7%). Alderson does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Alderson spend roughly 25.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Union.