Grafton, WV vs Salem, WV

Grafton is moderately more affordable than Salem, with a 8.4% lower cost of living index. Grafton scores 51 compared to 55 for Salem, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Salem can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Grafton is $429/month compared to $570/month in Salem — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Grafton is more affordable at $72,700 median vs $77,200.

Median household income in Grafton is $38,872 compared to $43,690 in Salem (-11%). While Salem is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Grafton spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 15.7% in Salem.