Beckley, WV vs Dunbar, WV

Beckley, WV and Dunbar, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Beckley scores 70 while Dunbar scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Beckley is $867/month compared to $904/month in Dunbar — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Beckley has cheaper rent, Dunbar actually has lower median home values ($121,100 vs $148,800).

Median household income in Beckley is $39,939 compared to $54,647 in Dunbar (-26.9%). Dunbar offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Beckley spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 19.9% in Dunbar.

Climate-wise, Dunbar is notably warmer with an average of 56.2°F compared to 52.9°F in Beckley. Dunbar receives more rainfall at 46.2" per year compared to 43.5" in Beckley.