Benwood, WV vs Union, WV

Benwood, WV and Union, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Benwood scores 59 while Union scores 57 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 Benwood is $681/month compared to $418/month in Union — a 63% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Union has cheaper rent, Benwood actually has lower median home values ($90,400 vs $158,000).

Median household income in Benwood is $39,474 compared to $32,281 in Union (+22.3%). While Benwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Benwood spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.5% in Union.