Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Colorado to West Virginia

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

WV state flag
Moving to

West Virginia

Capital: Charleston

Median household income $55,217 · winter low 25°F · 169 sunny days

Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition.

West Virginia has an overall price level 89.5 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
West Virginia
89.5
West Virginia has 13% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
West Virginia
54.2
West Virginia has 57% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
West Virginia
97.4
West Virginia has 3.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
West Virginia
98.4
West Virginia has 2.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
West Virginia
16.4 ¢/kWh
West Virginia has 2.2% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
West Virginia
97.9
West Virginia has 2.7% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
West Virginia
$170,800
West Virginia is 70% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
West Virginia
$643/mo
West Virginia is 60% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 25°F · 169 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
West Virginia
84°F
West Virginia is 2.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
West Virginia
25°F
West Virginia is 39% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
West Virginia
52°F
West Virginia is 13% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
West Virginia
169
West Virginia has 31% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
West Virginia
46 in
West Virginia is 174% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
Colorado
74
West Virginia
42
West Virginia has 43% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
West Virginia
39 in
West Virginia is 43% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoWest Virginia report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in West Virginia than Colorado?

West Virginia's overall price level is roughly 88.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. West Virginia tops out at 4.82%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in West Virginia?

Most West Virginia residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

Related comparisons