Quality of life comparison
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Texas, you would:
Health
live 3.7 years less
In Texas, the average life expectancy is 76 years (76 years for men, 81 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 10.1% more likely to be obese
In Texas, 36.8% of adults are obese as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 40.5% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 33.2% less money
Texas has a GDP per capita of $70,071 as of 2024, while in West Virginia, the GDP per capita is $46,834 as of 2024.
be 12.8% more likely to be unemployed
In Texas, 3.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In West Virginia, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 29.4% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Texas, 12.6% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In West Virginia, however, that number is 16.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 31.9% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
Texas has a violent crime rate of 391 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 266 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 44.4% less likely to be a victim of property crime
Texas has a property crime rate of 2,153 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 1,198 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 40.2% less for a home
The median home value in Texas is $260,400 as of 2023, compared to $155,600 in West Virginia as of 2023.
pay 36.5% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Texas is $1,339 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $850 as of 2023.
be 18.7% more likely to own your home
In Texas, 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 74.3% as of 2023.
earn 24.1% less money
The median household income in Texas is $76,292 as of 2023, while in West Virginia, it is $57,917 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 61.9% less likely to be uninsured
In Texas, 16.0% 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 7.2 years older on average
The median age in Texas is 35.5 years as of 2023. In West Virginia, the median age is 42.7 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 37.3% less densely populated
Texas has a population density of 45.3 people per sq km as of 2023. In West Virginia, that number is 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 43.5% more likely to smoke
In Texas, 14.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In West Virginia, that number is 21.1% as of 2022.
be 16.9% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Texas, 20.1% 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 91.5% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Texas, 9.4% 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, 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.
