Charleston, WV vs Fairmont, WV

Charleston, WV and Fairmont, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Charleston scores 74 while Fairmont scores 73 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 Charleston is $898/month compared to $902/month in Fairmont — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Charleston has cheaper rent, Fairmont actually has lower median home values ($159,100 vs $187,300).

Median household income in Charleston is $64,512 compared to $60,791 in Fairmont (+6.1%). While 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 Charleston spend roughly 16.7% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Fairmont.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 54.9°F). Charleston receives more rainfall at 46.2" per year compared to 44.8" in Fairmont.