Brookhaven, WV vs St. Marys, WV

The cost of living difference between Brookhaven, WV and St. Marys, WV is dramatic. St. Marys is 51.9% cheaper than Brookhaven, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookhaven has a cost index of 86 while St. Marys 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 $467/month in St. Marys — a 131% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Marys is more affordable at $129,400 median vs $254,500.

Median household income in Brookhaven is $84,962 compared to $59,315 in St. Marys (+43.2%). 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 9.4% in St. Marys.