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Moving from West Virginia to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Mountains, low housing costs, ongoing economic transition. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

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.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
West Virginia
89.5
Washington
107.0
Washington has 20% higher overall price level
Housing index
West Virginia
54.2
Washington
126.0
Washington has 132% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.4
Washington
101.8
Washington has 4.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
West Virginia
98.4
Washington
101.1
Washington has 2.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
West Virginia
16.4 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 12% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
West Virginia
97.9
Washington
101.4
Washington has 3.6% higher transportation
Median home value
West Virginia
$170,800
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 253% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
West Virginia
$643/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 155% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
West Virginia
84°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 6.0% less summer highs
Avg winter low
West Virginia
25°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 40% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
West Virginia
52°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 3.9% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
West Virginia
169
Washington
152
Washington has 10% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
West Virginia
46 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 12% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
West Virginia
42
Washington
39
Washington has 7.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
West Virginia
39 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 26% less annual snowfall

Get the full West VirginiaWashington 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 Washington than West Virginia?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (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. Washington tops out at 0%.

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

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

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