Living in West Virginia

#50 in population growth

Should you move to West Virginia?

West Virginia, the Mountain State, is a place of rugged beauty, warm hospitality, and a deeply rooted Appalachian culture. Known for its coal mining history, outdoor recreational activities, and unique regional cuisine, West Virginia offers a lifestyle steeped in nature and tradition.

West Virginia’s economy, traditionally based in coal mining, has diversified into healthcare, education, and tourism. Its cities, like Charleston and Morgantown, offer a blend of historical charm and modern development.

Living in West Virginia offers numerous experiences. From rafting on the New River Gorge, hiking in the Monongahela National Forest, exploring the historic Harpers Ferry, or attending a vibrant music festival, West Virginia presents a distinct blend of natural splendor and cultural richness. Education is valued, with improving public schools and universities like West Virginia University and Marshall University.

If you’re seeking a state that offers a connection to nature, a slower pace of life, and a friendly, close-knit community vibe, West Virginia could be your new home. Just be prepared for the hilly terrain and the changing seasons!

#39 in population

Population

1,775,156

National Avg 6,652,315

#22 in population

Population Per Square Mile

75

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does West Virginia Score?

A
Home Affordability
A
Cost of Living
F
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in West Virginia

Climate

How Does West Virginia Compare?

#31
in Sunny Days
#19
in Annual Rainfall
#8
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#49

How Does West Virginia Compare?

#49
in Healthcare
#50
in Available Beds
#14
in Doctors Per Resident

0

Children's Hospitals

4

VA Medical Centers

11

VA Clinics

West Virginia Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#9

How Does West Virginia Compare?

#9
in Cost of Living
#30
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#5
in Living Wage

West Virginia State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to West Virginia? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in West Virginia

#49

West Virginia School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #49 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

48%

Proficient or Above

15%

Ranked #49 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

60%

Proficient or Above

22%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
88.1%
Bachelors Degree
21.8%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know West Virginia

State Capital

Charleston

Area Codes

304, 681

Time Zone

Eastern Time Zone

Number of Counties

55

Land Area (square miles)

24,041

Motto

Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)

State Bird

Cardinal

Housing

#1
#1 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$114,600

National $440,300

#1 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$770

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$345

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

711,352

Persons Per Household

2.47

Rent vs Own

Own 73.9%
Rent 26.1%

Economy

#49 in household income

Median Household Income

50,884

National $70,784

#50 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
53.2%
Poverty Rate
16.8%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$15,236,903

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$4,069,148

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$3,068,787

Per Capita Retail Sales

12,678

Counties

Diversity

#47
White alone
92.8%
Black or African American alone
3.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
0.3%
Asian alone
0.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0%
Two or More Races
2.2%
Hispanic or Latino
2.1%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
91.2%

Foreign Born Persons

1.6%

Veterans

118598

Persons Under 5 years
5%
Persons Under 18 years
19.8%
Persons 65 years and over
21.2%

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