Quality of life comparison
If you lived in North Carolina instead of West Virginia, you would:
Health
live 3.3 years longer
In West Virginia, the average life expectancy is 73 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2020. In North Carolina, that number is 76 years (75 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
be 17.0% less likely to be obese
In West Virginia, 40.5% of adults are obese as of 2022. In North Carolina, that number is 33.6% of people as of 2022.
be 17.1% less likely to have diabetes
In West Virginia, 12.9% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In North Carolina, that number is 10.7% as of 2022.
Economy
make 26.6% more money
West Virginia has a GDP per capita of $46,834 as of 2024, while in North Carolina, the GDP per capita is $59,308 as of 2024.
be 22.7% less likely to be unemployed
In West Virginia, 4.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In North Carolina, that number is 3.4% as of 2025.
be 25.8% less likely to live below the poverty line
In West Virginia, 16.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In North Carolina, however, that number is 12.1% as of 2023.
Safety
be 42.3% 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 North Carolina, that number is 379 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 66.8% 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 North Carolina, that number is 1,998 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 20.7% more money
The median household income in West Virginia is $57,917 as of 2023, while in North Carolina, it is $69,904 as of 2023.
pay 66.7% more for a home
The median home value in West Virginia is $155,600 as of 2023, compared to $259,400 in North Carolina as of 2023.
pay 36.7% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in West Virginia is $850 as of 2023, while in North Carolina, it is $1,162 as of 2023.
be 10.6% less likely to own your home
In West Virginia, 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In North Carolina, that number is 66.4% as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 1.5 minutes less
The average one-way commute in West Virginia takes 26.6 minutes as of 2023. In North Carolina, it takes 25.1 minutes as of 2023.
be 30.8% less likely to smoke
In West Virginia, 21.1% of adults smoke as of 2022. In North Carolina, that number is 14.6% as of 2022.
be 25.8% less likely to be physically inactive
In West Virginia, 29.9% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In North Carolina, that number is 22.2% as of 2022.
be 34.7% 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 North Carolina, that number is 22.5% as of 2023.
be 6.0 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 North Carolina, that number is 4.8% as of 2023.
be 57.4% more likely to be uninsured
In West Virginia, 6.1% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In North Carolina, that number is 9.6% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 3.6 years older on average
The median age in West Virginia is 42.7 years as of 2023. In North Carolina, the median age is 39.1 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 3.0 times more densely populated
West Virginia has a population density of 28.4 people per sq km as of 2023. In North Carolina, that number is 86.2 people per sq km 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.
