Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Ohio, you would:
Health
live 2.5 years less
In Ohio, 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.
Economy
make 22.8% less money
Ohio has a GDP per capita of $60,669 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 10.0% more likely to be unemployed
In Ohio, 4.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In West Virginia, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 27.3% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Ohio, 12.8% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 28.5% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Ohio has a property crime rate of 1,676 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 21.9% less for a home
The median home value in Ohio is $199,200 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 14.0% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Ohio is $988 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
be 10.9% more likely to own your home
In Ohio, 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 74.3% as of 2023.
earn 16.9% less money
The median household income in Ohio is $69,680 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
live among residents who are 3.1 years older on average
The median age in Ohio is 39.6 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 74.5% less densely populated
Ohio has a population density of 111.5 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
commute 3.0 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in Ohio takes 23.6 minutes as of 2023. In West Virginia, it takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023.
be 12.2% more likely to smoke
In Ohio, 18.8% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 16.3% more likely to be physically inactive
In Ohio, 25.7% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 29.9% as of 2022.
be 20.9% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Ohio, 21.1% 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 65.2% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Ohio, 2.3% 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.
