Bluefield, WV vs South Charleston, WV

Bluefield is moderately more affordable than South Charleston, with a 7.4% lower cost of living index. Bluefield scores 64 compared to 69 for South Charleston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Charleston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bluefield is $790/month compared to $857/month in South Charleston — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bluefield is more affordable at $101,000 median vs $144,800.

Median household income in Bluefield is $43,826 compared to $59,616 in South Charleston (-26.5%). While South Charleston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bluefield spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in South Charleston.