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Moving from West Virginia to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

WV state flag
Living now

West Virginia

Capital: Charleston

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

Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
West Virginia
89.5
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 9.0% higher overall price level
Housing index
West Virginia
54.2
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 57% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.4
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 2.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
West Virginia
98.4
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 1.2% higher utilities
Electricity rate
West Virginia
16.4 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 28% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.9
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 1.6% higher transportation
Median home value
West Virginia
$170,800
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 63% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
West Virginia
$643/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 65% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
West Virginia
84°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
West Virginia
25°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 12% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
West Virginia
52°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 4.1% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
West Virginia
169
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 5.9% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
West Virginia
46 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 4.4% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
West Virginia
42
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 4.8% lower AQI
Snow / year
West Virginia
39 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 10% more annual snowfall

Get the full West VirginiaPennsylvania report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Pennsylvania than West Virginia?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 88.6 for West Virginia — 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?

West Virginia tops out at 4.82% income tax. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Pennsylvania?

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

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