Performance
Score Breakdown
Beckley
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Beckley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
57% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Beckley's average rent is
72% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Beckley | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $3,382 | -72% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $200 | $370 | -46% |
| Transport | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,000 | $4,652 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 69% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Beckley is estimated at
$45,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Beckley | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $31,431 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,978 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $45,826 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Beckley | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Beckley has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Beckley | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 15.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Beckley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Beckley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Beckley | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,196 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Beckley
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Beckley is significantly lower than the national average, including housing, utilities, and healthcare.
Housing is highly affordable, with a 2024 median property value of $158,000 and a positive home affordability ratio.
Commute times are notably shorter, with an average one-way commute of 16.5 minutes, well below the national average.
Beckley offers a strong sense of community and a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere.
The city provides access to abundant outdoor recreational activities in the Appalachian Mountains, including rock climbing, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
Drawbacks
Amenities are limited, and nightlife and dining options are sparse, contributing to a lower livability score.
Job opportunities are limited, and many residents commute out of town for work, impacting employment scores.
The city is highly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 15, and public transportation is not readily available.
Concerns exist regarding rising drug use and its impact on community health and safety.
Utility costs can be high in rural West Virginia, potentially offsetting some of the overall affordability benefits.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Beckley
#98West Virginia, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$31,431
Cost Index
85
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
15.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
56
Business
60
New York City
#73New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Beckley and New York City.
Open Cost Calculator