City Comparison
Fairmont vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fairmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairmont
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairmont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairmont's average rent is
75% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Fairmont | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $3,382 | -75% |
| Groceries | $380 | $520 | -27% |
| Utilities | $175 | $370 | -53% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,515 | $4,652 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fairmont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairmont is estimated at
$42,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Fairmont | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fairmont runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fairmont comes out ahead with 215 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fairmont sees 30.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fairmont | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 215 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairmont has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 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 | Fairmont | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Fairmont is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fairmont has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairmont | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,450 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fairmont
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Fairmont are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per Zillow data.
Proximity to Valley Falls State Park offers residents world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
Fairmont State University provides local cultural events, continuing education, and a boost to the regional economy.
The local cost of living index sits well below the national average, easing financial pressures for families.
Growing tech initiatives at the nearby I-79 Technology Park provide expanding professional employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries are lower compared to national metropolitan benchmarks per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically mandatory for daily errands.
Job growth rates in traditional sectors trail behind fast-growing metropolitan technology hubs.
Winters bring significant snowfall (averaging over 30 inches annually), requiring winterized commuting preparation.
Limited high-end retail and entertainment options within city limits necessitate trips to larger neighboring cities.
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.
Fairmont
#343West Virginia, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
215/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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