Parkersburg, WV vs South Charleston, WV

Parkersburg is moderately more affordable than South Charleston, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Parkersburg scores 63 compared to 69 for South Charleston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Charleston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Parkersburg is $746/month compared to $857/month in South Charleston — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Parkersburg is more affordable at $113,900 median vs $144,800.

Median household income in Parkersburg is $44,675 compared to $59,616 in South Charleston (-25.1%). 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 Parkersburg spend roughly 20% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in South Charleston.