Dunbar, WV vs South Charleston, WV

Dunbar, WV and South Charleston, WV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Dunbar scores 69 while South Charleston scores 69 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 Dunbar is $904/month compared to $857/month in South Charleston — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Charleston has cheaper rent, Dunbar actually has lower median home values ($121,100 vs $144,800).

Median household income in Dunbar is $54,647 compared to $59,616 in South Charleston (-8.3%). While South 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 Dunbar spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in South Charleston.