Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $668 in West Virginia versus $824 in Wyoming. Overall, West Virginia runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Wyoming, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $64,512 in West Virginia and $77,176 in Wyoming — about 16% higher in Wyoming. West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in West Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
4.82%
None
+4.8 pp in West Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$668
$824
+23% in Wyoming
Median Home Value
$187,300
$311,200
+66% in Wyoming
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$64,512
$77,176
+20% in Wyoming
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
55.7°F
46.5°F
+9.2°F in West Virginia
West Virginia vs Wyoming — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in West Virginia or Wyoming?
- West Virginia is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $668 runs about 19% below Wyoming's $824, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in West Virginia than in Wyoming?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $27,000 a year in West Virginia versus $33,000 in Wyoming.
- Which has lower taxes, West Virginia or Wyoming?
- West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in West Virginia/Wyoming — 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.