Pennsylvania vs West Virginia: taxes, cost of living, laws

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.

Pennsylvania

West Virginia

Taxes

3.07%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.12%

1.43%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.57%/yr

6.34%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.37%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

$270K

Median Home Price

$155K

$1,350/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$900/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

305

Violent Crime / 100K

278

1,394

Property Crime / 100K

1,380

183

Sex Offenders / 100K

356

108

Homeless / 100K

101

Healthcare

#17 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#46 of 50

77.1 yrs

Life Expectancy

71.9 yrs

6.5%

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#23 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#49 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,350/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$850/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$150/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$125/mo

$510/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$400/mo

#37 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#45 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+2.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+36.0

Category wins

Pennsylvania

West Virginia

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