Beckley, WV vs St. Albans, WV

Beckley, WV and St. Albans, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Beckley scores 70 while St. Albans 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 $888/month in St. Albans — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Beckley has cheaper rent, St. Albans actually has lower median home values ($131,800 vs $148,800).

Median household income in Beckley is $39,939 compared to $58,788 in St. Albans (-32.1%). St. Albans 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 18.1% in St. Albans.