Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of North Carolina, you would:
Health
live 3.3 years less
In North Carolina, the average life expectancy is 76 years (75 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 20.5% more likely to be obese
In North Carolina, 33.6% of adults are obese as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 40.5% of people as of 2022.
be 20.6% more likely to have diabetes
In North Carolina, 10.7% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 12.9% as of 2022.
Economy
make 21.0% less money
North Carolina has a GDP per capita of $59,308 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 29.4% more likely to be unemployed
In North Carolina, 3.4% 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 North Carolina, 12.1% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 29.7% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
North Carolina has a violent crime rate of 379 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 266 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 40.1% less likely to be a victim of property crime
North Carolina has a property crime rate of 1,998 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 40.0% less for a home
The median home value in North Carolina is $259,400 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 26.9% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in North Carolina is $1,162 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
be 11.9% more likely to own your home
In North Carolina, 66.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 74.3% as of 2023.
earn 17.1% less money
The median household income in North Carolina is $69,904 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 36.5% less likely to be uninsured
In North Carolina, 9.6% 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 3.6 years older on average
The median age in North Carolina is 39.1 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 67.1% less densely populated
North Carolina has a population density of 86.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
commute 1.5 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in North Carolina takes 25.1 minutes as of 2023. In West Virginia, it takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023.
be 44.5% more likely to smoke
In North Carolina, 14.6% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 34.7% more likely to be physically inactive
In North Carolina, 22.2% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 29.9% as of 2022.
be 25.8% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In North Carolina, 22.5% 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 83.3% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In North Carolina, 4.8% 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.
