10 Pros and Cons of Living in West Virginia
West Virginia’s low cost of living and near-constant mountain views is enough sweetener for some to overlook a high crime rate and lack of diversity.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Table of Contents
- Pro: Valley-low cost of living
- Con: Downturned economy
- Pro: Everyone-knows-everyone feel
- Con: Some social barriers to outsiders
- Pro: Bountiful Bluegrass
- Con: Underfunded social services
- Pro: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Con: High property and violent crime rates
- Pro: Mountain Mama, take me home
- Con: Drug use and abuse in rural areas
- Is West Virginia a good state to live in?
- How to upgrade your car insurance in West Virginia
- FAQs
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West Virginia
has ample natural beauty from the surrounding Appalachian Mountains and a low cost of living that makes owning or renting property much more attainable than in other regions. But some of the cons of living in West Virginia include underfunded social services, high unemployment rates, and a lack of diversity in the population.Maybe you’re looking for a quiet spot to retire that has low property and income taxes. Maybe you’ve been learning the fiddle and want to be closer to Bluegrass music. Whatever your reasoning, it’s crucial to weigh all the pros and cons before making West Virginia your next home.
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Pro: Valley-low cost of living
Sure, West Virginia is known as the Mountain State and sits up high—but its cost of living is valley low. The US average cost of living index sits squarely at 100, so the 90.5 cost of living index of West Virginia means living there is relatively cheap!
The median household income in West Virginia is $48,037 per year and the median home value is $137,286. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is only $610, placing West Virginia among the cheapest rent regions in the entire US.
Gas prices here are about on par with the rest of the nation at $3.93 per gallon, but West Virginia car insurance rates are admittedly high.
You may be able to avoid car insurance rates altogether in most cities since there is a decent amount of public transportation access for such a rural area. Get a $1.50one-way bus pass or commit to a $60 monthly bus pass.
Con: Downturned economy
Like many other regions reliant on one specialized industry, West Virginia’s economy has been hit by sharp downturns. This state has mostly built its economy around coal mining, but the global shift away from burning coal has created a lack of demand for West Virginia’s primary export.
As the state is battling a lack of job opportunities due to the decline of the coal industry, it’ll be beneficial for you to secure a working position before moving there.
However, it should be known that the unemployment rate, which tanked during the pandemic to 5.1%, has been on the comeback at a current 3.6%. The national average is 3.5%, so things may be looking up for West Virginian workers in the near future.
Pro: Everyone-knows-everyone feel
Seeking a world apart from the anonymous hoards of big cities? West Virginia towns can offer that sense of community where everyone knows everyone. The biggest city in the state is the capital,
Charleston
, which boasts about 50,000 residents. If you’re coming from a major city like New York, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, or even any of their suburbs, the towns of West Virginia are likely to give you a bit of a culture shock. But maybe that’s what you’re looking for!
The laid-back, go at your own pace vibe among the Appalachian Mountains could offer the perfect balm to the craziness and bustling-about of a city.
Con: Some social barriers to outsiders
On the other side of that small-town feel is skepticism among residents who have lived in the state for generations.
West Virginia towns are small, and their residents can be quite set in their ways. Even native West Virginians that just move from upstate to downstate (or vice versa) may come across sideways looks from their new neighbors.
West Virginia is also notoriously homogeneous. 93.08% of the state’s population is white, and there are still unofficial “sundown towns”that have the potential to become violent environments for minority groups.
That is definitely a major red flag, and if you still plan to move there, be sure to do your research on the area you’d be moving to.
Pro: Bountiful Bluegrass
Since there isn’t a “big city” anywhere in the state and surrounding big cities like D.C., Pittsburgh, and Charlotte are five to six hours away, convenience and specialty can be hard to find.
However, Bluegrass music is plentiful here. Specifically the banjo-strumming, fiddle-diddling Bluegrass genre.
With roots in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the Bluegrass scene is always busy in West Virginia. Not only can you find live Bluegrass music in most bars throughout the state, but the city of Summersville puts on the
Music in The Mountains
festival every June! With on-site camping and food options, you can comfortably experience some true southern Americana.
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Con: Underfunded social services
As appealing as the low cost of West Virginia living is, it also comes with lower wages and a smaller tax base, meaning the government services are comparatively underfunded.
Though the state of the community varies from town to town, you’re likely to find beat-up roads and infrastructure in many of them. The smallest towns in particular experience a sometimes painful lack of government funding.
Martinsburg
, for example, has the highest rate of unemployment in the state (15%), while Grafton
has a poor education system manifesting as the worst student-to-teacher ratio in all of West Virginia. Pro: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
Something that attracts many folks to states like West Virginia is the full range of seasonal experiences. West Virginia has the added benefit of experiencing all four seasons without the sometimes oppressive extremes of summer and winter.
Summers in the Mountain State average daily temperatures around 73°F while winter averages end up around 33°F. However, it is true that areas higher up in the mountains can get hit with more problematic winter temperatures and increased snowfall.
And it’ll be important to keep in mind that there is quite a lot of rain throughout the year, which is great for your garden but potentially dampening for your soul if you’re used to daily sunshine.
The real pull of West Virginia’s seasons, though, is autumn. With nearly 75% of the state covered in lush forests, it may be one of the most ideal states to view fall colors.
Con: High property and violent crime rates
Another potential worry of West Virginia living is the high crime rates. West Virginia has an average property crime rate of 32.11 per 1,000 residents, and the violent crime rate averages 5.78 per 1,000 residents.
For reference, the US property and violent crime averages are 27.11 per 1,000 and 4.49 per 1,000 respectively.
Of course, these are just averages across the entire state, and not every community will be plagued with crime. In fact, most small towns don’t have much crime to speak about. Even though Grafton has poor education infrastructure, it’s also ranked as the safest West Virginian town.
Pro: Mountain Mama, take me home
West Virginia isn’t nicknamed the Mountain State for nothing. Set entirely inside the Appalachian Mountain region, this state has some intense natural beauty that John Denver was right to sing a love song about. You can feel the hug of the mountains almost anywhere you go.
If you’re an outdoorsy person, West Virginia could be your biggest playground yet. 75% of the state is covered in forests, making it ideal ground for hiking, camping, or simply taking in the scenery. Take a trip to the
New River Gorge Bridge
to get a truly magnificent view of West Virginia’s rolling hills and the longest span of steel in the western hemisphere. You’ll also find incredible
West Virginia national parks
, including the Blackwater Falls State Park
where you can see waterfalls tinged in amber from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Enjoy geocaching, snow sports, swimming, fishing, camping, hunting, golfing, and even scenic train rides! Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs
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Con: Drug use and abuse in rural areas
As with every region that struggles with high unemployment, low income, and underfunded social services, drug abuse is common in West Virginia. Particularly in the most rural areas of the state that typically have the least access to social services, poverty and drug use mix in deadly ways.
Many areas of the world including West Virginia saw an alarming increase in overdose deaths during the pandemic, but the state has seen a downward trend in drug-related deaths since 2021.
Regardless, it’s important to make sure you’ll connect with a social community and fill your schedule with activities and hobbies to reduce experiences of isolation.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in West Virginia, reach out to the 24/7 confidential support line,
HELP4WV
, by calling or texting 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498), or utilize the website’s secure chat feature
. Is West Virginia a good state to live in?
West Virginia could make a truly excellent state to live in for the right person, but it has its own drawbacks. Before deciding it’s the place for you, or maybe not, consider all the pros and cons.
West Virginia is a great state for:
- Nature lovers
- Small-town, slow-pace preferences
- Bluegrass fans
- People looking for a low cost of living
But keep in mind that you may have a hard time enjoying yourself in West Virginia if you love the diversity and convenience of big cities or prefer an area with well-funded social services.
How to upgrade your car insurance in West Virginia
Yes, West Virginia
car insurance
premiums are higher than the national average—but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with a terrible rate. If you’re driving through the Mountain State, use the Jerry
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FAQs
What are the winters like in West Virginia?
Winters in West Virginia are relatively mild, seeing an average annual snowfall of 33 inches and average daily temperatures around 33°F, but winters will be more intense the further up in the mountains you get.
Is West Virginia racially diverse?
On the whole, West Virginia is not racially diverse. Over 93% of the population identifies as white.
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