Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $668 in West Virginia. Overall, West Virginia runs roughly 46% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $64,512 in West Virginia — about 7% higher in Florida. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.82%
+4.8 pp in West Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$668
+46% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$187,300
+42% in Florida
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$64,512
+7% in Florida
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
55.7°F
+16.1°F in Florida
Florida vs West Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or West Virginia?
- West Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $668 runs about 46% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in West Virginia?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $27,000 in West Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or West Virginia?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Florida/West Virginia — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.