Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Hawaii, you would:
Health
live 7.9 years less
In Hawaii, the average life expectancy is 81 years (78 years for men, 84 years for women) as of 2020. In West Virginia, that number is 73 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2020.
be 58.2% more likely to be obese
In Hawaii, 25.6% of adults are obese as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 40.5% of people as of 2022.
be 19.4% more likely to have diabetes
In Hawaii, 10.8% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 12.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 27.0% less money
Hawaii has a GDP per capita of $64,124 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 100.0% more likely to be unemployed
In Hawaii, 2.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In West Virginia, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 66.3% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Hawaii, 9.8% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 28.4% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Hawaii has a property crime rate of 1,672 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 42.0% more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Hawaii has a violent crime rate of 187 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 266 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 80.7% less for a home
The median home value in Hawaii is $808,200 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 56.1% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Hawaii is $1,938 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
be 18.7% more likely to own your home
In Hawaii, 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 74.3% as of 2023.
earn 41.1% less money
The median household income in Hawaii is $98,317 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
live among residents who are 2.1 years older on average
The median age in Hawaii is 40.6 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 67.2% less densely populated
Hawaii has a population density of 86.7 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 69.4% more likely to be uninsured
In Hawaii, 3.6% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 6.1% as of 2023.
be 73.0% more likely to smoke
In Hawaii, 12.2% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 39.7% more likely to be physically inactive
In Hawaii, 21.4% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 29.9% as of 2022.
be 34.3% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Hawaii, 25.4% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 16.7% as of 2023.
be 88.9% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Hawaii, 7.2% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 0.8% as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
