State Comparison
Virginia vs West Virginia
Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics using documented public datasets and estimates, with sources listed below.
Overall Score
Cost of Living
Housing
Taxes
Income & Employment
Business
Insurance & Living
Key Takeaways
- 1
West Virginia leads in 11 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
- 2
Housing: Median home prices are $420,000 in Virginia vs $183,000 in West Virginia — a $237,000 difference.
- 3
Taxes: Virginia has a 5.75% top income tax rate while West Virginia has a 4.58% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.78% vs 0.51%.
- 4
Cost of Living: Virginia's index is 99.1 and West Virginia's is 87.9 (national average = 100).
Run the Numbers
Use our free calculators with real Virginia and West Virginia data to model your specific scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia or West Virginia more affordable?
West Virginia has a lower cost of living index (87.9) compared to Virginia (99.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.
Which state has lower taxes — Virginia or West Virginia?
It depends on what you earn, spend, and own — the three rates below apply to different bases (income, purchases, and home value), so they cannot be added into a single burden figure. On the headline rates alone, West Virginia is lower on more of them. Virginia has a 5.75% top income tax, 5.3% state sales tax, and a 0.78% effective property tax rate. West Virginia has a 4.58% top income tax, 6% state sales tax, and a 0.51% effective property tax rate.
What are housing costs in Virginia vs West Virginia?
The typical home value in Virginia is $420,000 compared to $183,000 in West Virginia (Zillow Home Value Index, June 2026). For renters, HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit — the 40th-percentile gross rent, not an average — is $1,735/month in Virginia vs $1,000/month in West Virginia.
Which state is better for starting a business — Virginia or West Virginia?
LLC filing costs are $100 in Virginia vs $100 in West Virginia, with annual fees of $50 and $25 respectively. Virginia's 5.75% top tax rate compared to West Virginia's 4.58% rate may also factor into your decision.
Should I move from Virginia to West Virginia?
It depends on your priorities. West Virginia wins in 11 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.
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Related Comparisons
Comparing Virginia and West Virginia
When deciding between living in Virginia or West Virginia, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), the Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rents, Zillow's Home Value Index, the NAIC's insurance databases, the U.S. Department of Labor, C2ER's Cost of Living Index, and state agencies, to give you a comprehensive overview.
Virginia (VA) has a median household income of $92,090 with a cost of living index of 99.1. West Virginia (WV) has a median household income of $60,798 with a cost of living index of 87.9. Income figures are Census ACS 1-year estimates (table B19013, 2024); the cost-of-living index is C2ER's Q1 2026 survey via MERIC, where 100 is the national average of surveyed cities.
These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Virginia calculator or West Virginia calculator to model your specific financial scenario.
Sources per metric are named in each row's note above. Last reviewed . Some values are estimates; consult a qualified professional for financial advice.