Chester, WV vs New Martinsville, WV

Chester, WV and New Martinsville, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Chester scores 61 while New Martinsville scores 62 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 Chester is $686/month compared to $718/month in New Martinsville — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $110,600 median vs $112,600.

Median household income in Chester is $63,750 compared to $51,226 in New Martinsville (+24.4%). 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 16.8% in New Martinsville.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.8°F vs 54.3°F). New Martinsville receives more rainfall at 42.5" per year compared to 39.6" in Chester.