Delaware
Low tax burden · COL index 102
Wins 7 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 7 categories
Delaware's top income tax rate is 6.6% vs West Virginia's 5.12%. Cost of living in Delaware (index 102) runs 24% higher than West Virginia (index 82). The median home in Delaware costs $350K vs $155K in West Virginia. Politically, West Virginia voted Republican in 2024 (R+36.0) while Delaware went Democratic (D+8.0).
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Category wins
7
Delaware
7
West Virginia
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Virginia offers diverse geography, better education, and more cultural opportunities, while West Virginia is known for its rugged mountains and lower cost of living, with areas like South Boston and Lexington recommended for small towns and high- speed internet.