Alum Creek, WV vs Matewan, WV

The cost of living difference between Alum Creek, WV and Matewan, WV is dramatic. Matewan is 64.3% cheaper than Alum Creek, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alum Creek has a cost index of 84 while Matewan sits at 51, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alum Creek is $1,298/month compared to $356/month in Matewan — a 265% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Matewan is more affordable at $102,100 median vs $158,900.

Median household income in Alum Creek is $72,250 compared to $15,378 in Matewan (+369.8%). While Alum Creek is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alum Creek spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 27.8% in Matewan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 56.5°F). Alum Creek receives more rainfall at 46.2" per year compared to 45.1" in Matewan.