City Comparison
Wheeling vs Clarksburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wheeling scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wheeling
Clarksburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clarksburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Wheeling.
| Metric | Wheeling | Clarksburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $360 | $380 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,710 | $1,510 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wheeling offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wheeling is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Clarksburg.
| Metric | Wheeling | Clarksburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $48,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wheeling comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clarksburg sees 8.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wheeling | Clarksburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | 53.40°F |
| Summer High | 85.10°F | 81.30°F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | 21.90°F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | 47.50 in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | 31.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | 216 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Wheeling 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 | Wheeling | Clarksburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wheeling is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Clarksburg.
From a growth perspective, Wheeling is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wheeling has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wheeling | Clarksburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,000 | 16,000 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wheeling
Advantages
Median home prices in Wheeling are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Oglebay Resort and Wheeling Park offer extensive year-round recreational activities, golf courses, and green spaces.
The city features stunning 19th-century Victorian architecture and historic landmarks like the Wheeling Suspension Bridge.
Healthcare sector employment provides strong job stability through major institutions like WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.
Traffic congestion is minimal, ensuring short and manageable average commute times for local workers.
Drawbacks
Population growth has remained flat or experienced slight declines over recent census cycles.
Public transit options are limited, making reliable personal vehicle ownership virtually essential for daily life.
Average household incomes trail behind national benchmarks due to the ongoing economic transition away from heavy industry.
Winter weather brings notable snowfall and freezing temperatures that can impact local travel.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan centers nearby like Pittsburgh.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Wheeling
#378West Virginia, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
64
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
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