Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Michigan, you would:
Health
live 3.2 years less
In Michigan, the average life expectancy is 76 years (76 years for men, 80 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 12.5% more likely to be obese
In Michigan, 36.0% of adults are obese as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 40.5% of people as of 2022.
be 29.0% more likely to have diabetes
In Michigan, 10.0% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 12.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 15.6% less money
Michigan has a GDP per capita of $55,508 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 28.3% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Michigan, 12.7% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 41.3% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Michigan has a violent crime rate of 453 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 266 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 21.9% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Michigan has a property crime rate of 1,533 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 28.5% less for a home
The median home value in Michigan is $217,600 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 21.6% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Michigan is $1,084 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
earn 18.6% less money
The median household income in Michigan is $71,149 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
live among residents who are 2.6 years older on average
The median age in Michigan is 40.1 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 58.5% less densely populated
Michigan has a population density of 68.5 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
commute 2.2 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in Michigan takes 24.4 minutes as of 2023. In West Virginia, it takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023.
be 24.5% more likely to be uninsured
In Michigan, 4.9% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 6.1% as of 2023.
be 24.1% more likely to smoke
In Michigan, 17.0% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 26.7% more likely to be physically inactive
In Michigan, 23.6% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 29.9% as of 2022.
be 23.7% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Michigan, 21.9% 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 74.2% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Michigan, 3.1% 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), US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
