Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Missouri, you would:
Health
live 2.3 years less
In Missouri, the average life expectancy is 75 years (74 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 24.0% more likely to have diabetes
In Missouri, 10.4% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 12.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 16.9% less money
Missouri has a GDP per capita of $56,344 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 33.3% more likely to be unemployed
In Missouri, 3.3% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In West Virginia, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 34.7% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Missouri, 12.1% 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
Missouri 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 42.2% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Missouri has a property crime rate of 2,070 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 27.8% less for a home
The median home value in Missouri is $215,600 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 14.7% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Missouri is $996 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
earn 16.0% less money
The median household income in Missouri is $68,920 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 31.5% less likely to be uninsured
In Missouri, 8.9% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 6.1% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 3.8 years older on average
The median age in Missouri is 38.9 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 18.4% less densely populated
Missouri has a population density of 34.8 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
commute 2.9 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in Missouri takes 23.7 minutes as of 2023. In West Virginia, it takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023.
be 13.4% more likely to smoke
In Missouri, 18.6% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 20.6% more likely to be physically inactive
In Missouri, 24.8% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 29.9% as of 2022.
be 22.3% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Missouri, 21.5% 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 61.9% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Missouri, 2.1% 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), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
