Brookhaven, WV vs Chester, WV

The cost of living difference between Brookhaven, WV and Chester, WV is dramatic. Chester is 40.8% cheaper than Brookhaven, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookhaven has a cost index of 86 while Chester sits at 61, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookhaven is $1,077/month compared to $686/month in Chester — a 57% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $110,600 median vs $254,500.

Median household income in Brookhaven is $84,962 compared to $63,750 in Chester (+33.3%). The higher salaries in Brookhaven partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Chester.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 51.8°F). Brookhaven receives more rainfall at 43.2" per year compared to 39.6" in Chester.