Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Tennessee, you would:
Health
live 1.0 years less
In Tennessee, the average life expectancy is 74 years (73 years for men, 78 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 22.2% less money
Tennessee has a GDP per capita of $60,177 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 Tennessee, 3.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In West Virginia, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 26.4% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Tennessee, 12.9% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 56.5% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Tennessee has a violent crime rate of 612 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 266 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 47.9% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Tennessee has a property crime rate of 2,301 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 39.4% less for a home
The median home value in Tennessee is $256,800 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 24.2% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Tennessee is $1,122 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
be 10.9% more likely to own your home
In Tennessee, 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 74.3% as of 2023.
earn 13.7% less money
The median household income in Tennessee is $67,097 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 35.8% less likely to be uninsured
In Tennessee, 9.5% 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 Tennessee 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 57.6% less densely populated
Tennessee has a population density of 67.0 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 16.5% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Tennessee, 20.0% 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 76.5% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Tennessee, 3.4% 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, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
