Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,170 in Texas versus $668 in West Virginia. Overall, West Virginia runs roughly 43% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $67,043 in Texas and $64,512 in West Virginia — about 4% higher in Texas. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% 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
6.25%
6%
+0.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.82%
+4.8 pp in West Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,170
$668
+43% in Texas
Median Home Value
$264,900
$187,300
+29% in Texas
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$67,043
$64,512
+4% in Texas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
67.2°F
55.7°F
+11.5°F in Texas
Texas vs West Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Texas or West Virginia?
- West Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $668 runs about 43% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Texas 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 $47,000 a year in Texas versus $27,000 in West Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Texas or West Virginia?
- Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% 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 8/1 cities we track in Texas/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.