Brookhaven, WV vs Richwood, WV

The cost of living difference between Brookhaven, WV and Richwood, WV is dramatic. Richwood is 52.3% cheaper than Brookhaven, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookhaven has a cost index of 86 while Richwood sits at 56, 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 $630/month in Richwood — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Richwood is more affordable at $67,600 median vs $254,500.

Median household income in Brookhaven is $84,962 compared to $33,614 in Richwood (+152.8%). While Brookhaven is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookhaven spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22.5% in Richwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.8°F vs 52.9°F). Richwood receives more rainfall at 43.5" per year compared to 43.2" in Brookhaven.