Beckley, WV vs Fairmont, WV

Beckley, WV and Fairmont, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Beckley scores 70 while Fairmont scores 73 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 $902/month in Fairmont — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beckley is more affordable at $148,800 median vs $159,100.

Median household income in Beckley is $39,939 compared to $60,791 in Fairmont (-34.3%). While Fairmont is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Beckley spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Fairmont.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.9°F vs 54.9°F). Fairmont receives more rainfall at 44.8" per year compared to 43.5" in Beckley.