Pennsylvania
Moderate tax burden · COL index 97
Wins 6 categories
West Virginia
Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
Wins 7 categories
West Virginia's top income tax rate is 5.12% vs Pennsylvania's 3.07%. Cost of living in Pennsylvania (index 97) runs 18% higher than West Virginia (index 82). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Pennsylvania averages 1.43% annually vs West Virginia's 0.57%. The median home in Pennsylvania costs $270K vs $155K in West Virginia.
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Category wins
6
Pennsylvania
7
West Virginia
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Are taxes higher in PA or WV?
In fact, Pennsylvania and Ohio, the two states that are closest to West Virginia in terms of effective personal income tax rates in the comparison above, have effective property tax rates that are nearly three times higher than West Virginia's.
What are the drawbacks to living in West Virginia?
Is it better to live in Pennsylvania or 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.