Cheat Lake, WV vs South Charleston, WV

The cost of living difference between Cheat Lake, WV and South Charleston, WV is dramatic. South Charleston is 36.7% cheaper than Cheat Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cheat Lake has a cost index of 94 while South Charleston sits at 69, 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 Cheat Lake is $1,113/month compared to $857/month in South Charleston — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South Charleston is more affordable at $144,800 median vs $345,500.

Median household income in Cheat Lake is $111,379 compared to $59,616 in South Charleston (+86.8%). While Cheat Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cheat Lake spend roughly 12% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in South Charleston.