Chester, WV vs Mason, WV

Chester is moderately more affordable than Mason, with a 7.1% lower cost of living index. Chester scores 61 compared to 66 for Mason, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Mason can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Chester is $686/month compared to $870/month in Mason — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chester has cheaper rent, Mason actually has lower median home values ($91,900 vs $110,600).

Median household income in Chester is $63,750 compared to $47,112 in Mason (+35.3%). Chester offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chester spend roughly 12.9% of their income on rent, less than the 22.2% in Mason.

Climate-wise, Mason is notably warmer with an average of 54.9°F compared to 51.8°F in Chester. Mason receives more rainfall at 44.2" per year compared to 39.6" in Chester.