West Virginiaincome tax up to 5.12%, 14th lowest property tax, median home $155K
R+36 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 82
5.12%
Income Tax
278
Violent Crime / 100K
71.9
Life Expectancy
$155K
Median Home
$850
Childcare / Mo
West Virginia in plain English
Worth knowing before you move to West Virginia
West Virginia has some of the lowest home prices in the country, a graduated income tax with rates cut sharply since 2023, and it fully exempts Social Security from tax starting with the 2026 tax year. Property taxes are low. The state has lost population in most years since 2012, and its economy still leans on coal, natural gas and, increasingly, outdoor recreation and remote-worker incentive programs.
What West Virginia taxes, and what it doesn't
West Virginia levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 5.12%. A household earning $75,000 pays an effective 5.0%, about $3,750 a year; at $150,000 the effective rate is 5.8%. Among the 41 states that tax income, West Virginia has the 13th highest effective rate at $100,000 of income.
Property tax runs 0.57% of home value a year, roughly $883 on the state's median home of $155K. The national effective rate is about 1.10%, and West Virginia has the 14th lowest rate of the 50 states.
Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.37%, the 20th lowest in the country (the state portion is 6%).
For retirees: Social Security benefits are not taxed, pension income is partly exempt, and there is no estate or inheritance tax.
Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.
Housing and the cost of living in West Virginia
West Virginia's cost of living index is 82, where 100 is the national average; that is the cheapest of the 50 states.
The median home costs $155K, 49% below the national figure and the lowest among the states. A two-bedroom rents for about $900 a month.
Carrying costs matter as much as the price: home insurance averages $1,100 a year, flood coverage adds about $700 where it is needed, car insurance runs $1,400.
Budget $125 a month for electricity and gas, $400 a month in groceries for two, $850 a month for full-time infant care.
Safety, health and schools
Violent crime is 278 incidents per 100,000 residents in the FBI's 2023 Crime Data Explorer figures, below the median state (387); West Virginia is the 12th safest of the 50 by that measure. Property crime is 1,380 per 100,000.
Life expectancy is 71.9 years (County Health Rankings 2024). 6.6% of residents have no health insurance, and the state has expanded Medicaid. The Commonwealth Fund's 2023 scorecard ranks West Virginia's health system 46th of 50.
Education Week's 2023 Quality Counts report ranks K-12 schools 49th in the country, and the state runs a school-choice voucher program.
Politics, guns and social policy
Politically, West Virginia is a solidly Republican state that went to Trump by 36 points in 2024.
On guns, no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun, and Giffords grades the state's gun laws F.
Abortion is banned with narrow exceptions. Marijuana is medical only. West Virginia is not a right-to-work state, and the minimum wage is $10.12 an hour.
Climate, risk and getting around
Natural disaster risk is moderate. The main hazards are flood, ice-storm, tornado. Annual average air quality index is 44 (under 50 is good).
West Virginia has no top-25 hub airport, with about 30 nonstop destinations from its busiest airport.
Written from the figures on this page. Rankings compare the 50 states. Sources and years are listed with each figure below.
Largest counties in West Virginia
State Profile
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
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Taxes
Sources: state revenue departments · Tax Foundation 2026 · income-tax brackets 2026
Income Tax
Significant cuts pending legislation
Property Tax
~$883/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
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Housing & Cost of Living
Sources: Zillow · Census ACS · iii.org and state insurers 2026 · WRLURI 2018 · Census 2024 (HOA)
Price Level vs US (BEA)
Below US average (100)
Mortgages 90+ Days Late
FHFA, latest quarter
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Near national avg (~$1,900/yr)
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Homes in HOAs
HOAs are rare here (Census ACS 2024)
Zoning Restrictiveness
Middle of the pack (Wharton WRLURI 2018)
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb)
Broad state guidelines; local jurisdictions tailor regulations.
Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
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Crime & Safety
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023 · SafeHome registry counts 2025 · HUD PIT 2024
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Below national avg (~2,100)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Registered Sex Offenders
Above the state median (SafeHome 2025)
Homeless Population
Moderate homelessness rate — 44% unsheltered (HUD 2024 PIT)
Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
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Healthcare
Sources: Commonwealth Fund 2023 · KFF · CDC
State Healthcare Rank
Bottom tier
Life Expectancy
Well below national avg
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
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Education
Sources: Education Week 2023 · NCES · state statutes (school choice)
College Completion Rate
College Scorecard, in-state institutions (mean)
Avg College Cost of Attendance
College Scorecard 2024
K-12 Quality Rank
Bottom 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
HS Graduation Rate
Above national avg (~87%)
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Near national avg (~16)
Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
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Childcare
Sources: Child Care Aware · Census ACS 2022
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Below national avg
Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
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Utilities & Daily Costs
Sources: EIA (electricity, weekly gas) · USDA · eGRID 2022
Grid Carbon Intensity
Dirtier than US average (~820)
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Electricity Rate
Below national avg (13¢)
Energy Mix
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Among the worst roads in the US
Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
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Airports & Travel
Sources: FAA · BTS
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
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Culture & Lifestyle
Sources: Census CBP · Brewers Association 2024 · Pollstar · AANR/TNS · AGA 2024
Urban Population
Mostly rural
Restaurant Density
Limited dining options
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.2/100K residents — Growing
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Mountain State Music Festival; Appalachian heritage bluegrass; Smooth Ambler Spirits nationally acclaimed
Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
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Transportation
Sources: NHTSA FARS · FCC · insurance rate surveys 2024 · IIHS helmet laws 2026
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Below national avg
Work From Home
State residents who primarily work from home (ACS)
Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
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Social & Legal
Sources: Guttmacher · KFF · NCSL · state statutes 2026
Formal Volunteering Rate
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023 (US ~28%)
Votes in Local Elections
AmeriCorps / Census CPS 2023
Abortion Access
Near-total ban; trigger law took effect after Dobbs
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
5 casino resorts. One of the first states to offer online casino gambling (2019). Sports betting pioneer.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
No state sex ed mandate
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Smooth Ambler country (remote river areas) · WV Naturists
Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
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Environment & Climate
Sources: EPA AQI · NOAA · FEMA National Risk Index
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
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Politics & Gun Laws
Sources: OpenElections 2024 · Giffords 2025 · state statutes
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Carry in Bars
Carry in Restaurants
Carry in Places of Worship
No state prohibition; posting governs.
Gambling
Hunting & Outdoors
Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)
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Hunting & Outdoors
Sources: state wildlife agencies · USFS · BLM · USFWS (May 2026)
Dense hardwood forest with strong whitetail and black bear populations. 1.7 million acres of national forest. Bears can be taken during archery season.
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Ravin Crossbows
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See Ravin crossbows →About this sponsor
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
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Jobs & Economy
Sources: BLS QCEW 2024 · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS union membership 2025 · Census ACS
Job Openings Rate (JOLTS)
Tight labor market (US ~4.5%)
Quits Rate (JOLTS)
Workers quit when they can find better; BLS 2024 average
Job Market
+0.4% job growth · 4.3% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Union Membership
Below-average union presence (BLS 2025)
Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
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Business Climate
Sources: Tax Foundation · state filings
Corporate Income Tax
LLC Formation Fee
LLC Annual Fee
Business Climate Rank
Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
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Daily Life
Sources: American Pyrotechnics Association · state statutes 2026 · IIHS
Gas Price (Regular)
Below avg (-0.20 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks broadly legal
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Required for all riders (IIHS 2026)
Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
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Weather & Natural Risks
Sources: NOAA · NWS Storm Prediction Center · FEMA NRI
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 42°F
Summer Heat
Moderate summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
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Natural Hazards
Sources: USGS · CDC · USDA APHIS · NOAA · FEMA NRI 2023
Venomous Snakes
Spider Hazard
Hurricane Risk
Tornado Risk
Wildfire Risk
Earthquake Risk
Armadillo Leprosy Risk
Danger score is a composite index. Methodology ↗
Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
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Veteran Benefits
Sources: VA.gov · Military.com state guide · Tax Foundation
Veteran-Friendly Score
8.6% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Disabled vet property tax exemption
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore West Virginia counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in West Virginia
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
WV vs MS
West Virginia vs Mississippi
COL 82 vs 82 · 5.12% vs 4.7% income tax
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WV vs AR
West Virginia vs Arkansas
COL 82 vs 85 · 5.12% vs 3.9% income tax
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WV vs KY
West Virginia vs Kentucky
COL 82 vs 85 · 5.12% vs 4% income tax
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WV vs KS
West Virginia vs Kansas
COL 82 vs 86 · 5.12% vs 5.7% income tax
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Trending in West Virginia
Governor Morrisey announces major decline in crime, overdose deaths across West Virginia - WTAP
WTAP · Sep 8
West Virginia Changes Prior Authorization Law After Man's Treatment Delay and Death - The American Journal of Managed Care
The American Journal of Managed Care · Sep 7
West Virginia teens can now work at polling places under new law, earning up to $300 - wtov9.com
wtov9.com · Sep 8
Justice says he’s considering challenging Morrisey for governor of West Virginia - West Virginia Watch
West Virginia Watch · Sep 3
Sen. Jim Justice is exploring another run for governor - Politico
Politico · Sep 3
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West Virginia will change its laws. We'll email you when it does.
One email when West Virginia changes a tax, gun, cannabis or abortion law. Unsubscribe in one click.
Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI Crime Data Explorer 2023. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund 2023; life expectancy from County Health Rankings 2024. Education: Education Week 2023. Housing: Zillow monthly index and Census ACS 2022. Insurance: rate surveys 2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.