Alaska vs West Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws

Alaska

Low tax burden · COL index 126

Wins 5 categories

West Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 82

Wins 10 categories

Alaska has no state income tax. West Virginia's top rate is 5.12%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 54% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Alaska averages 1.04% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in Alaska costs $340K vs $155K in West Virginia.

Alaska

West Virginia

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

5.12%

1.04%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.57%/yr

1.76%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.37%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

126

COL Index (100=avg)

$340K

Median Home Price

$155K

$1,350/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$900/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

838

Violent Crime / 100K

278

2,544

Property Crime / 100K

1,380

478

Sex Offenders / 100K

356

363

Homeless / 100K

101

Healthcare

#48 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#46 of 50

75 yrs

Life Expectancy

71.9 yrs

12.1%

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#35 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#49 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,380/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$850/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$125/mo

$780/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$400/mo

#35 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#45 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+36.0

Category wins

Alaska

West Virginia

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