City Comparison
Wheeling 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
Wheeling
Oak Hill
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oak Hill is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Wheeling.
| Metric | Wheeling | Oak Hill | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $897 | -5% |
| Groceries | $360 | $350 | +3% |
| Utilities | $170 | $150 | +13% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $120 | +83% |
| Monthly Total | $1,710 | $1,617 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wheeling offers 81% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wheeling delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wheeling is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Wheeling | 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
Wheeling runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wheeling comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wheeling sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wheeling | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wheeling has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
Wheeling scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wheeling leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wheeling | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 1.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wheeling is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Oak Hill.
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 | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,000 | 7,937 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 8.30% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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