Quality of life comparison
If you lived in New Mexico instead of West Virginia, you would:
Health
live 1.7 years longer
In West Virginia, the average life expectancy is 73 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2020. In New Mexico, that number is 74 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
be 20.5% less likely to be obese
In West Virginia, 40.5% of adults are obese as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 32.2% of people as of 2022.
be 16.3% less likely to have diabetes
In West Virginia, 12.9% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 10.8% as of 2022.
Economy
make 19.6% more money
West Virginia has a GDP per capita of $46,834 as of 2024, while in New Mexico, the GDP per capita is $56,008 as of 2024.
Safety
be 2.8 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime
West Virginia has a violent crime rate of 266 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 745 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 2.4 times more likely to be a victim of property crime
West Virginia has a property crime rate of 1,198 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 2,872 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 49.2% more for a home
The median home value in West Virginia is $155,600 as of 2023, compared to $232,200 in New Mexico as of 2023.
pay 20.1% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in West Virginia is $850 as of 2023, while in New Mexico, it is $1,021 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 3.4 minutes less
The average one-way commute in West Virginia takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023. In New Mexico, it takes 23.2 minutes as of 2023.
be 22.3% less likely to smoke
In West Virginia, 21.1% of adults smoke as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 16.4% as of 2022.
be 21.1% less likely to be physically inactive
In West Virginia, 29.9% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In New Mexico, that number is 23.6% as of 2022.
live in an area that is 76.1% less densely populated
West Virginia has a population density of 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 6.8 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 23.4% more likely to have a bachelor's degree
In West Virginia, 16.7% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 20.6% as of 2023.
be 6.4 times more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In West Virginia, 0.8% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 5.1% as of 2023.
be 52.5% more likely to be uninsured
In West Virginia, 6.1% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In New Mexico, that number is 9.3% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 3.5 years older on average
The median age in West Virginia is 42.7 years as of 2023. In New Mexico, the median age is 39.2 years as of 2023.
be 13.6% more likely to be food insecure
In West Virginia, 11.8% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In New Mexico, that number is 13.4% as of 2021.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Feeding America, OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
