

Pennsylvania vs Virginia
Virginia comes out ahead of Pennsylvania on 462 of 805 statistics where one end is better, to 321 with 22 ties. Pennsylvania leads on Sports and Law. Virginia leads on Crime & Safety, Health and Agriculture and 9 more categories.
805 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 22 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 321
- Avg. percentile
- 51
- Categories led
- 2
- Wins
- 462
- Avg. percentile
- 57
- Categories led
- 12
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | Pennsylvania | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,073,016 5th of 51 | 8,940,572 12th of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $77,971 24th of 51 | $93,170 12th of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 4.3% tied 33rd of 51 | 3.4% tied 10th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 11.7% 25th of 51 | 9.89% 7th of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 97.6 28th of 51 | 101.1 36th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $58,620 24th of 51 | $61,914 15th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $65,730 25th of 51 | $74,040 11th of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,209 24th of 51 | $1,579 40th of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 226.8 14th of 51 | 205.9 8th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 5,700 28th of 48 | 4,258 15th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetyVirginia · 76 statistics
- HealthVirginia · 183 statistics
- AgricultureVirginia · 17 statistics
- GeographyVirginia · 25 statistics
- PopulationVirginia · 120 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyVirginia · 36 statistics
- SportsPennsylvania · 17 statistics
- EconomicsVirginia · 295 statistics
- EducationVirginia · 51 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentVirginia · 125 statistics
- EnvironmentVirginia · 40 statistics
- CultureVirginia · 79 statistics
- TravelVirginia · 29 statistics
- LawPennsylvania · 73 statistics
- Tech & BusinessEven · 48 statistics
- Facts & TriviaEven · 18 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | Pennsylvania | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| SSI Electoral Oversight ScoreMost Corrupt States | 41 48th of 50 | 81.9 4th of 50 |
| SSI Judicial AccountabilityMost Corrupt States | 43 47th of 50 | 72 4th of 50 |
| Teacher's Union Rank (1=Strongest)States with Teacher Unions | 4th 4th of 51 | 47th 47th of 51 |
| County Road Accidents 2018-2022Jaywalking Laws By State | 0.67% 2nd of 27 | 21.7% 24th of 27 |
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - HourlySocial Worker Salary by State | $14.85 1st of 50 | $32.35 42nd of 50 |
| Mental Health Substance Abuse - YearlySocial Worker Salary by State | $30,880 1st of 50 | $67,280 42nd of 50 |
| SSI Civil Service Management ScoreMost Corrupt States | 54 44th of 50 | 70.4 3rd of 50 |
| Average IVF CostIVF Cost by State | $11,976 46th of 51 | $9,245 5th of 51 |
| % Change in Prison Pop. 2021-2022Prison Population by State | 716.0% 40th of 50 | -3,195.0% 2nd of 50 |
| Annual Crude Mortality Rate in PrisonsWorst Prisons by State | 48.64 37th of 46 | 14.56 tied 2nd of 46 |
| Christmas Spirit RankChristmas by State | 5th 5th of 51 | 43rd 43rd of 51 |
| SSI ProcurementMost Corrupt States | 63.8 tied 38th of 50 | 85.8 2nd of 50 |
| % of Pop. with High School Diploma or EquivalentMost Educated U.S. States | 32.4% 4th of 51 | 23.6% 41st of 51 |
| CAS Legal Judicial Corruption Level (1-5)Most Corrupt States | 3 tied 36th of 48 | 1 tied 1st of 48 |
| Median Price: TownhousesMedian Home Price by State | $293,300 6th of 44 | $501,800 37th of 44 |
| Birthplace DiversityMost Diverse US States | 45th 45th of 50 | 11th 10th of 50 |
| NIghtlife Rank (WH)Most Boring States | 12th 12th of 50 | 47th 47th of 50 |
| Aluminum Can PriceAluminum Can Prices by State | $0.57 per lb tied 37th of 43 | $0.33 per lb tied 7th of 43 |
| Economic RankDisability Benefits by State | 41st tied 41st of 51 | 6th 6th of 51 |
| CAS Legal Legislative Corruption Level (1-5)Most Corrupt States | 5 tied last of 48 | 3 tied 4th of 48 |
| Amphetamine Use Rate (Per 100k)Drug Use by State | 407.57 38th of 51 | 246.7 3rd of 51 |
| Maximum Annual SalaryIBEW Pay Scale by State | $141,940 3rd of 51 | $78,700 38th of 51 |
| SSI Public Access to Information ScoreMost Corrupt States | 67.8 4th of 50 | 35.9 38th of 50 |
| Workplace Safety Rank WalletHubSafest States in the US | 35th 35th of 50 | 1st 1st of 50 |
| 1996-2022 Change Adjusted For InflationTANF Benefits by State | -45.0% tied 4th of 48 | -9% 42nd of 48 |
| Debt-To-Income Ratio HighDebt by State | 1.11% tied 1st of 51 | 1.6% tied 37th of 51 |
| Debt-To-Income Ratio LowDebt by State | 0.4% tied 1st of 51 | 1.5% tied 37th of 51 |
| Share of All Pedestrian-Related Fatal Accidents 2018-2022Jaywalking Laws By State | 35.7% tied 44th of 50 | 7.14% 11th of 50 |
| Opioid Use Rate (Per 100k)Opioid Epidemic by State | 2,753.69 44th of 51 | 1,762.94 10th of 51 |
| LPC Application FeeLPC Requirements by State | $45.00 2nd of 49 | $175 tied 34th of 49 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Pennsylvania or Virginia?
- Virginia comes out ahead of Pennsylvania on 462 of 805 statistics where one end is better, to 321 with 22 ties. Pennsylvania leads on Sports and Law. Virginia leads on Crime & Safety, Health and Agriculture and 9 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Pennsylvania or Virginia?
- Pennsylvania has a population of 13,073,016 (5th of 51 US states) and Virginia has 8,940,572 (12th of 51).
- How do Pennsylvania and Virginia compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Pennsylvania $77,971 (24th of 51), Virginia $93,170 (12th of 51) among US states. Virginia ranks better.
- How do Pennsylvania and Virginia compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): Pennsylvania 4.3% (tied 33rd of 51), Virginia 3.4% (tied 10th of 51) among US states. Virginia ranks better.
- Where does Pennsylvania beat Virginia most clearly?
- Pennsylvania ranks far ahead on Teacher's Union Rank (1=Strongest) (States with Teacher Unions): 4th vs 47th; County Road Accidents 2018-2022 (Jaywalking Laws By State): 0.67% vs 21.7%; Mental Health Substance Abuse - Hourly (Social Worker Salary by State): $14.85 vs $32.35.
- Where does Virginia beat Pennsylvania most clearly?
- Virginia ranks far ahead on SSI Electoral Oversight Score (Most Corrupt States): 81.9 vs 41; SSI Judicial Accountability (Most Corrupt States): 72 vs 43; SSI Civil Service Management Score (Most Corrupt States): 70.4 vs 54.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Pennsylvania or Virginia.
- Alabama vs Pennsylvania
- Alaska vs Pennsylvania
- Arizona vs Pennsylvania
- Arkansas vs Pennsylvania
- California vs Pennsylvania
- Colorado vs Pennsylvania
- Connecticut vs Pennsylvania
- Delaware vs Pennsylvania
- Alabama vs Virginia
- Alaska vs Virginia
- Arizona vs Virginia
- Arkansas vs Virginia
- California vs Virginia
- Colorado vs Virginia
- Connecticut vs Virginia
- Delaware vs Virginia