Performance
Score Breakdown
Nitro
Oak Hill
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Oak Hill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nitro's average rent is
34% higher than Oak Hill's.
| Metric | Nitro | Oak Hill | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $897 | +34% |
| Groceries | $0 | $350 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $100 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,200 | $1,617 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 78 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 174% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nitro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nitro is estimated at
$19,440 vs $45,000 in Oak Hill.
| Metric | Nitro | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,954 | $28,806 |
| Salary Needed | $19,440 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,172 idx | 36,931 idx |
| Household Income | $53,848 | $52,466 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nitro | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nitro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill.
Oak Hill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Nitro | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 29 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oak Hill is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Nitro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Nitro | Oak Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,366 | 7,937 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 8.30% | 8.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
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.
Nitro
#84West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
Oak Hill
#85West Virginia, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$897
Avg Salary
$28,806
Cost Index
78
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
55
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nitro and Oak Hill.
Open Cost Calculator