Quality of Life Score
47.01
State Comparison
Alabama vs West Virginia
West Virginia is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Alabama, Alabama has higher incomes, Alabama has lower state income tax, and Alabama gets more sunshine.
Alabama
18
/ 31
metrics won
Score
VS
West Virginia
13
/ 31
metrics won
WV wins Housing
AL wins Quality of Life
AL wins Climate
AL wins Income
Quality of Life
Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.
Alabama
winner
vs
West Virginia
Alabama scores higher on quality of life — 0.01 points difference.
Overview
Key differences overview
These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.
Overall Affordability
West Virginia is 5.0 points cheaper overall
West Virginia has the lower cost-of-living index. West Virginia is at 83.6, while Alabama is at 88.6.
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Real Dollar Value
$100 goes $1.89 further in Alabama
After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $114.62 of local buying power in Alabama, versus $112.73 in West Virginia.
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Income
Alabama income is 4.7% higher
Alabama has the higher median household income at $54,943, compared with $52,480 in West Virginia.
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Jobs
West Virginia minimum wage is $1.50 higher
West Virginia has the higher statewide minimum wage at $8.75/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Alabama.
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Housing
Alabama homes cost about 1.4x more
West Virginia has the lower median home value at $124,800, versus $174,600 in Alabama.
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Taxes
Alabama has lower state income tax
Alabama has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 5.00%, compared with 5.12% in West Virginia.
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Alabama
- Gross salary
- —
- State income tax (top rate 5.0%)
- —
- After state tax
- —
- Real buying power (BEA RPP)
- —
West Virginia
- Gross salary
- —
- State income tax (top rate 5.1%)
- —
- After state tax
- —
- Real buying power (BEA RPP)
- —
Cost-of-Living Equivalent
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* "After state tax" uses the top marginal rate — actual effective rate is lower for most incomes. Real buying power uses BEA Regional Price Parity (87.2 for Alabama, 86.7 for West Virginia). COL equivalent uses the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Tradeoffs
Pros and cons for each state
A fast scan of the biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.
Alabama
At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs
Pros: Alabama
- Alabama shows higher median income.
- Alabama has lower property tax rates on average.
- Alabama job growth trend is stronger.
- Alabama health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
- Alabama education proxy is higher.
- Alabama has more sunny days.
Cons
- Alabama has a higher overall cost of living.
- Alabama has a higher housing cost index.
- Alabama has higher median home values.
- Alabama has a higher violent crime rate.
- Alabama health coverage access proxy is weaker.
West Virginia
At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs
Pros: West Virginia
- West Virginia has a lower overall cost of living.
- West Virginia has a lower housing cost index.
- West Virginia has lower median home values.
- West Virginia has a lower violent crime rate.
- West Virginia health coverage access proxy is stronger.
Cons
- West Virginia shows lower median income.
- West Virginia has higher property tax rates on average.
- West Virginia job growth trend is weaker.
- West Virginia health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
- West Virginia education proxy is lower.
- West Virginia has fewer sunny days.
Full Comparison
Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.
| Metric |
AL
|
WV
|
|---|---|---|
|
Capital City
|
Montgomery | Charleston |
|
State Color
|
Solid Red | Solid Red |
|
Population
|
5,024,279
|
1,793,716
|
|
Median Income
|
$54,943
|
$52,480
|
|
Cost of Living
|
88.6
|
83.6
|
|
Median Housing Value
|
$174,600
|
$124,800
|
|
Property Tax
|
0.38%
|
0.53%
|
|
State Income Tax
|
5.00%
|
5.12%
|
|
Minimum Wage
|
$7.25/hr
|
$8.75/hr
|
|
Gas Price
|
$3.840/gal
|
$3.975/gal
|
|
Electricity Rates
|
16.06 c/kWh
|
14.77 c/kWh
|
|
Livability Score
|
47.01
|
47.00
|
|
Average Temperature
|
62.8°F
|
51.8°F
|
|
Sunny Days
|
99 days
|
60 days
|
|
Land Area
|
52,419 sq mi
|
24,230 sq mi
|
|
Population Density
|
95.8 per sq mi
|
74.0 per sq mi
|
|
Statehood
|
December 14, 1819 (#22)
|
June 20, 1863 (#35)
|
Intent-Oriented
Which state fits your priorities better?
Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.
6
of
15
shown
Saving Money
West Virginia is cheaper overall
Overall cost-of-living index: 83.6 vs 88.6 in Alabama. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.
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Gas Price
Alabama is cheaper at the pump
Average regular gas price: $3.840/gal in Alabama vs $3.975/gal in West Virginia. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.
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Minimum Wage
West Virginia has the higher minimum wage
State minimum wage: $8.75/hr in West Virginia vs $7.25/hr in Alabama. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.
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Electricity Rates
West Virginia has cheaper electricity
Average residential electricity rate: 14.77 c/kWh in West Virginia vs 16.06 c/kWh in Alabama. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.
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Buying a Home
West Virginia is more attainable for buyers
Home-value-to-income ratio: 2.38x in West Virginia vs 3.18x in Alabama. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.
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Renting
West Virginia is easier for renters
Rent-to-income ratio: 19.0% in West Virginia vs 20.2% in Alabama. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.
See full dataExplore by Category
Dive Deeper
Each link opens a full one-on-one breakdown for that metric — national rankings, charts, and context.
Population
Alabama has a larger population than West Virginia by 3,230,563 people.
Population Density
Alabama is more densely populated than West Virginia.
Bachelor's Degree
Alabama has a higher college-educated share than West Virginia.
Advanced Degree
Alabama has a higher advanced-degree share than West Virginia.
People Also Ask
Alabama vs West Virginia - Common Questions
Q Is Alabama cheaper to live in than West Virginia?
West Virginia has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), West Virginia scores 83.6 versus 88.6 for Alabama - a gap of 5.0 points.
Q Where does $100 go further - Alabama or West Virginia?
$100 goes further in Alabama. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $114.62 in Alabama, compared with $112.73 in West Virginia.
Q Which state is bigger - Alabama or West Virginia?
Alabama is larger, covering 52,419 sq mi compared with 24,230 sq mi for West Virginia - roughly 2.2x the size.
Q Does Alabama or West Virginia have more people?
Alabama has the larger population at 5,024,279, compared with 1,793,716 in West Virginia.
Q Which state has higher household income - Alabama or West Virginia?
Alabama has the higher median household income at $54,943, versus $52,480 in West Virginia.
Q Which state has lower income taxes - Alabama or West Virginia?
Alabama has the lower state income tax top rate at 5.00%, compared with 5.12% in West Virginia.
Q Is housing cheaper in Alabama or West Virginia?
Homes are cheaper in West Virginia, where the median home value is $124,800, versus $174,600 in Alabama.
Q Which state is more densely populated - Alabama or West Virginia?
Alabama is more densely populated at 95.8 per sq mi people per sq mi. West Virginia is more spread out at 74.0 per sq mi people per sq mi.
Related Comparisons
Methodology
All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.
Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.