California vs West Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws
California
Moderate tax burden · COL index 142
Wins 3 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 11 categories
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs West Virginia's 5.12%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 73% higher than West Virginia (index 82). The median home in California costs $790K vs $155K in West Virginia. Politically, West Virginia voted Republican in 2024 (R+36.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
3
California
11
West Virginia
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