New Jersey
High tax burden · COL index 121
Wins 4 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 10 categories
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% vs West Virginia's 5.12%. Cost of living in New Jersey (index 121) runs 48% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New Jersey averages 2.13% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in New Jersey costs $500K vs $155K in West Virginia.
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Category wins
4
New Jersey
10
West Virginia
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What are the drawbacks to living in West Virginia?
Why are people moving out of WV?
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 out of NJ?