Marlinton, WV vs West Dunbar, WV

Marlinton is moderately more affordable than West Dunbar, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Marlinton scores 60 compared to 65 for West Dunbar, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of West Dunbar can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Marlinton is $703/month compared to $905/month in West Dunbar — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Marlinton has cheaper rent, West Dunbar actually has lower median home values ($83,300 vs $90,500).

Median household income in Marlinton is $42,386 compared to $37,188 in West Dunbar (+14%). Marlinton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Marlinton spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 29.2% in West Dunbar.