City Comparison
Fairmont 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
Fairmont
Oak Hill
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairmont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Fairmont | Oak Hill | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $897 | -5% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $175 | $150 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,515 | $1,617 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairmont offers 81% higher 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 $45,000 in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Fairmont | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $28,806 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 36,931 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $52,466 |
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 | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairmont has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
Fairmont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fairmont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairmont | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairmont is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Oak Hill.
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 | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,450 | 7,937 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 8.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
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.
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.
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
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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