So, you’re curious about living in West Virginia? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of West Virginia.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in West Virginia matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether West Virginia is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in West Virginia
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether West Virginia is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in West Virginia:
- Cheaper cost of living than the coasts.
- Less crime and violence (in many parts).
- A lot of outdoor activities are available year-round.
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in West Virginia:
- Can be difficult to find a job in certain areas if you’re not willing to commute or relocate.
- Lack of diversity when it comes to culture and lifestyle choices.
Read More: Is West Virginia a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in West Virginia
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in West Virginia? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in West Virginia!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in West Virginia.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in West Virginia:
- Bridgeport
- Star City
Read More: Best Places to Live in West Virginia
Checklist for Moving to West Virginia
So now you’re preparing for your big move to West Virginia. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to West Virginia.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to West Virginia:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your West Virginia driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to West Virginia
- Getting West Virginia car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in West Virginia and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in West Virginia.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for West Virginia and your previous home state.
Visit your West Virginia Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to West Virginia Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about West Virginia.
Things to Know About Living in West Virginia
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in West Virginia, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in West Virginia
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
West Virginia ranks 15th on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 93.1, meaning it’s a relatively inexpensive place to live.
Here is how West Virginia scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 97.9
- Housing: 77.1
- Utilities: 88.2
- Transportation: 104.8
- Health: 88.4
- Miscellaneous: 102.9
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in West Virginia
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to West Virginia from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
West Virginia’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 6%, with an average local rate of .5% (the highest local sales tax rate is 1%). Across the state, the average sales tax rate is about 6.5%.
Check with the West Virginia tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in West Virginia
If you own or plan to own real estate in West Virginia, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
West Virginia ranks 8th (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of .58%
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the West Virginia tax office for the most current tax rates.
West Virginia’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to West Virginia is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, West Virginia ranks 43rd for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Manufacturing
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional and business services
- Retail trade
- Construction
- Wholesale trade
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Finance and insurance
The top employer in West Virginia is Walmart.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in West Virginia
Our West Virginia moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in West Virginia is Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church.
National Parks that you can visit in West Virginia include:
- New River Gorge National Park
These destinations are all great places to visit when you get a chance.
Facts about West Virginia
West Virginia is the 35th state of the United States that lies in the southern region. To its north is Ohio and Pennsylvania, to its south is Virginia, to its east is Virginia and Maryland, and to its west is Kentucky.
What is the capital of West Virginia?
The capital of West Virginia is Charleston.
Charleston is located in Kanawha County with a population of 53,421.
What is the population of West Virginia?
The population of West Virginia based on 2020 US Census data is 1,793,716.
What is the largest city in West Virginia?
The largest city in West Virginia is Charleston.
What is the size of West Virginia?
West Virginia is 24,230 square miles, making it the 41st largest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of West Virginia?
The state motto of West Virginia is: Montani semper liberi
What is the state bird of West Virginia?
The state bird of West Virginia is the Northern cardinal.
What is the state flower of West Virginia?
The state flower of West Virginia is the Rhododendron.
What is the state tree of West Virginia?
The state tree of West Virginia is the Sugar Maple.
What is the minimum wage in the state of West Virginia?
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 per hour.
What is the median income in West Virginia?
The median annual household salary in West Virginia is $44,079.