Elkins, WV vs Summersville, WV

Summersville is moderately more affordable than Elkins, with a 5.1% lower cost of living index. Elkins scores 70 compared to 66 for Summersville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elkins can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elkins is $897/month compared to $570/month in Summersville — a 57% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Summersville has cheaper rent, Elkins actually has lower median home values ($130,500 vs $210,400).

Median household income in Elkins is $47,746 compared to $52,321 in Summersville (-8.7%). Summersville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Elkins spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, more than the 13.1% in Summersville.