Maryland vs West Virginia
Maryland comes out ahead of West Virginia on 477 of 794 statistics where one end is better, to 296 with 21 ties. Maryland leads on Facts & Trivia, Health and Education and 9 more categories. West Virginia leads on Agriculture, Politics & Government and Travel.
794 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 21 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 477
- Avg. percentile
- 55
- Categories led
- 12
- Wins
- 296
- Avg. percentile
- 39
- Categories led
- 3
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Maryland | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,285,380 19th of 51 | 1,764,892 39th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $103,678 3rd of 51 | $59,608 50th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4% tied 25th of 51 | 4.2% tied 30th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 9.45% 5th of 51 | 16.7% 48th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 105.0 44th of 51 | 89.5 9th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $61,111 16th of 51 | $50,051 50th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $77,580 7th of 51 | $56,470 49th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,705 44th of 51 | $872 1st of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 358.0 34th of 51 | 241.7 20th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 4,564 19th of 48 | 5,067 22nd of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Facts & TriviaMaryland · 18 statistics
- HealthMaryland · 191 statistics
- EducationMaryland · 51 statistics
- PopulationMaryland · 124 statistics
- CultureMaryland · 79 statistics
- EnvironmentMaryland · 39 statistics
- SportsMaryland · 17 statistics
- GeographyMaryland · 25 statistics
- EconomicsMaryland · 294 statistics
- Tech & BusinessMaryland · 48 statistics
- Crime & SafetyMaryland · 65 statistics
- AgricultureWest Virginia · 17 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentWest Virginia · 119 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyMaryland · 36 statistics
- TravelWest Virginia · 29 statistics
- LawEven · 68 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Maryland | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Service Fees (USD)Bad Check Laws by State | $35.00 50th of 50 | $10.00 1st of 50 |
| Average Single-Parent Family IncomeSingle Mom Friendly States | $61,416 1st of 51 | $34,782 50th of 51 |
| Meth Use Past MonthDrug Use by State | 0.48% 2nd of 51 | 2.69% 51st of 51 |
| Total Happiness ScoreSaddest States | 62.6 2nd of 50 | 33.83 50th of 50 |
| Total Happiness ScoreHappiest States | 64.13 2nd of 50 | 32.04 50th of 50 |
| % of Pop. with Graduate or Professional DegreeMost Educated U.S. States | 21.5% 3rd of 51 | 9.6% 51st of 51 |
| Lowest- Cost Bronze Premium (Avg)Obamacare Prices by State | $283 1st of 51 | $775 49th of 51 |
| % of Residents with a College DegreeBest States for Education | 40.9% 3rd of 50 | 21.3% 50th of 50 |
| Emotional & Physical Well-Being RankHappiest States | 3rd 3rd of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Median Income - One Person HouseholdMedian Household Income by State | $52,519 2nd of 50 | $29,140 49th of 50 |
| Overall Education RankLeast Educated States | 3rd 3rd of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Overall Education ScoreMost Educated U.S. States | 74.01 3rd of 50 | 24.35 50th of 50 |
| Smoking RateHealthiest States | 7.8% 3rd of 50 | 20.8% 50th of 50 |
| Age-Adjusted Depression RateDepression Rates by State | 17.2% tied 3rd of 49 | 29.0% 49th of 49 |
| Lowest- Cost Gold Premium (Avg)Obamacare Prices by State | $404 1st of 51 | $961 48th of 51 |
| Lowest- Cost Silver Premium (Avg)Obamacare Prices by State | $403 2nd of 51 | $1,036 49th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $103,678 3rd of 51 | $59,608 50th of 51 |
| Median Income - Two Person HouseholdMedian Household Income by State | $109,285 3rd of 51 | $64,510 50th of 51 |
| Educational Attainment RankMost Educated U.S. States | 4th 4th of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing Shortage by State | $98,678 4th of 50 | $55,948 50th of 50 |
| SmokersSmoking Rates by State | 8% tied 2nd of 50 | 21.0% 50th of 50 |
| 5G Max Download SpeedStates that have Banned 5G | 222.4 3rd of 50 | 89.7 49th of 50 |
| Obesity Rate - Native American and AlaskanMost Obese States | 29.7% 4th of 46 | 52.7% 46th of 46 |
| Avg Income of Bottom 90% FamiliesIncome Inequality by State | $47,989 5th of 51 | $25,014 51st of 51 |
| Cigarette Use Past MonthDrug Use by State | 12.4% 5th of 51 | 26.5% 51st of 51 |
| % of Median Income Spent On GroceriesGrocery Prices by State | 6.26% 4th of 50 | 10.1% 49th of 50 |
| Educational Attainment DiversityMost Diverse US States | 4th 5th of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Emotional Physical Well Being RankSaddest States | 5th 5th of 50 | 50th 50th of 50 |
| Prevalence Of Depression 2021Most Depressed States | 16.6% 5th of 50 | 27.5% 50th of 50 |
| WH 2023 Total ScoreGreenest States | 74.7 5th of 50 | 19.3 50th of 50 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Maryland or West Virginia?
- Maryland comes out ahead of West Virginia on 477 of 794 statistics where one end is better, to 296 with 21 ties. Maryland leads on Facts & Trivia, Health and Education and 9 more categories. West Virginia leads on Agriculture, Politics & Government and Travel. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Maryland or West Virginia?
- Maryland has a population of 6,285,380 (19th of 51 US states) and West Virginia has 1,764,892 (39th of 51).
- How do Maryland and West Virginia compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Maryland $103,678 (3rd of 51), West Virginia $59,608 (50th of 51) among US states. Maryland ranks better.
- How do Maryland and West Virginia compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Maryland 4% (tied 25th of 51), West Virginia 4.2% (tied 30th of 51) among US states. Maryland ranks better.
- Where does Maryland beat West Virginia most clearly?
- Maryland ranks far ahead on Average Single-Parent Family Income (Single Mom Friendly States): $61,416 vs $34,782; Meth Use Past Month (Drug Use by State): 0.48% vs 2.69%; Total Happiness Score (Saddest States): 62.6 vs 33.83.
- Where does West Virginia beat Maryland most clearly?
- West Virginia ranks far ahead on Service Fees (USD) (Bad Check Laws by State): $10.00 vs $35.00.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Maryland or West Virginia.
- Alabama vs Maryland
- Alaska vs Maryland
- Arizona vs Maryland
- Arkansas vs Maryland
- California vs Maryland
- Colorado vs Maryland
- Connecticut vs Maryland
- Delaware vs Maryland
- Alabama vs West Virginia
- Alaska vs West Virginia
- Arizona vs West Virginia
- Arkansas vs West Virginia
- California vs West Virginia
- Colorado vs West Virginia
- Connecticut vs West Virginia
- Delaware vs West Virginia