Illinois
High tax burden · COL index 92
Wins 4 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 11 categories
Cost of living in Illinois (index 92) runs 12% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in Illinois costs $275K vs $155K in West Virginia. Politically, West Virginia voted Republican in 2024 (R+36.0) while Illinois went Democratic (D+14.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
4
Illinois
11
West Virginia
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Is West Virginia cheaper than Illinois?
Overall cost of living in Chicago, IL is 27.9% higher than in Morgantown, WV. The average listing price for a home in Chicago, IL is $626,590, which is 39.5% higher than Morgantown, WV. The average cost of groceries in Chicago, IL is 8.8% higher than Morgantown, WV.
What are the drawbacks to living in West Virginia?
Is West Virginia a better place to live than Virginia?
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.
Why are people moving away from West Virginia?