City Comparison
Clarksburg vs Oak Hill
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oak Hill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clarksburg
Oak Hill
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clarksburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Clarksburg | Oak Hill | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $897 | -5% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $170 | $150 | +13% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,510 | $1,617 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Clarksburg offers 81% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clarksburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clarksburg is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Clarksburg | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $28,806 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 36,931 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $52,466 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clarksburg runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clarksburg comes out ahead with 216 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clarksburg sees 31.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clarksburg | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 216 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Clarksburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
Clarksburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clarksburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clarksburg | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Clarksburg is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Oak Hill.
From a growth perspective, Clarksburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Clarksburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clarksburg | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,000 | 7,937 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 8.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clarksburg
Advantages
Median home prices in Clarksburg are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per recent Zillow and Redfin housing data.
Proximity to major regional employers like the FBI CJIS division and United Hospital Center provides stable local employment opportunities.
Rich cultural traditions, highlighted by the annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival drawing thousands of visitors.
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including proximity to state parks, hiking trails, and the West Fork River.
Low traffic congestion and easy commuting times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Economic mobility and median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transit infrastructure within the city.
Regional health challenges related to substance use and chronic illness affecting parts of North-Central West Virginia.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options within city limits compared to larger cities.
Population stagnation and slow economic growth momentum relative to booming Sunbelt metropolitan areas.
Oak Hill
Advantages
The violent crime rate in Oak Hill is 44% below the national average, contributing to a sense of safety.
Housing is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a median home value of $118,700 in 2024.
The city offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including white water rafting and hiking, due to its proximity to the New River Gorge.
Oak Hill experienced a positive employment growth rate of 4.63% from 2023 to 2024.
The median rent of $897 in June 2026 is considerably lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Oak Hill has a high unemployment rate of 8.3% as of March 2026, exceeding the national average.
The city is highly car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 0 and very limited public transit options.
The population is projected to decline by -1.42% annually, indicating a shrinking community.
Some reports suggest overall crime rates are 57% higher than the West Virginia average, despite low violent crime.
The average commute time of 29 minutes is slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clarksburg
#393West Virginia, USA
58.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
216/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
71
Business
62
Oak Hill
#53West Virginia, USA
70.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$897
Avg Salary
$28,806
Cost Index
78
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
1.0/100
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
55
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