Massachusetts
High tax burden · COL index 148
Wins 6 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 10 categories
Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9% vs West Virginia's 5.12%. Cost of living in Massachusetts (index 148) runs 80% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Massachusetts averages 1.04% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in Massachusetts costs $580K vs $155K in West Virginia.
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Category wins
6
Massachusetts
10
West Virginia
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What are the drawbacks to living in West Virginia?
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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.