Compare states / West Virginia
WV
Compare West Virginia with other states
West Virginia is a smaller Southern state: about 1.8 million residents, the 39th-largest population, at 73 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 4.82%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.51% is the 9th-lowest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $177,887 (the lowest nationally).
Data: West Virginia (tax.wv.gov, transportation.wv.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 4.82% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.59% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.51% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | County ad valorem on vehicles, about 1.66% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | $8.75 for employers of 6 or more employees at one location. |
| Median home value | $177,887 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (base) | $51.50 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 36 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 1,764,892 |
| Population density | 73.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 90.9% White (non-Hispanic) 1.9% Hispanic 3.7% Black 0.9% Asian |
| Violent crime | 248.8 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in West Virginia
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 4.82%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in West Virginia
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in West Virginia
- Get a WV driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in West Virginia.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. West Virginia elections site.
- Nurse license: West Virginia is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in West Virginia: June 30. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How West Virginia compares
The median home value is $177,887 in West Virginia vs $778,217 in California.
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include West Virginia are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. West Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits (WV tax agency).
- Estate tax. West Virginia has no state estate tax (WV tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. West Virginia has no state inheritance tax (WV tax agency).
- Minimum wage. West Virginia $8.75.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. West Virginia 6.00%.
- State parks. West Virginia 36. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; WV 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (WV).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. West Virginia 30 days.
- Days to title a car. West Virginia 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled