Washington vs West Virginia

Washington comes out ahead of West Virginia on 492 of 793 statistics where one end is better, to 291 with 10 ties. Washington leads on Education, Health and Facts & Trivia and 12 more categories. West Virginia leads on Travel.

793 statistics with a better end, compared

Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 10 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.

Wins
492
Avg. percentile
57
Categories led
15
Wins
291
Avg. percentile
39
Categories led
1

At a glance

Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.

StatisticWashingtonWest Virginia
Population
8,074,082
13th of 51
1,764,892
39th of 51
Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
$98,141
8th of 51
$59,608
50th of 51
Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS)
4.7%
tied 43rd of 51
4.2%
tied 30th of 51
Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
9.9%
8th of 51
16.7%
48th of 51
Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities)
107.0
46th of 51
89.5
9th of 51
Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State
$64,421
10th of 51
$50,051
50th of 51
Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS)
$83,330
3rd of 51
$56,470
49th of 51
Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
$1,760
46th of 51
$872
1st of 51
Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI)
283.9
25th of 51
241.7
20th of 51
Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages)
5,610
25th of 48
5,067
22nd of 48

By category

Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.

  • EducationWashington · 51 statistics
  • HealthWashington · 187 statistics
  • Facts & TriviaWashington · 18 statistics
  • EnvironmentWashington · 39 statistics
  • Tech & BusinessWashington · 48 statistics
  • PopulationWashington · 123 statistics
  • AgricultureWashington · 17 statistics
  • SportsWashington · 17 statistics
  • CultureWashington · 79 statistics
  • EconomicsWashington · 291 statistics
  • GeographyWashington · 25 statistics
  • TravelWest Virginia · 29 statistics
  • Crime & SafetyWashington · 72 statistics
  • LawWashington · 67 statistics
  • Politics & GovernmentWashington · 125 statistics
  • Infrastructure & EnergyWashington · 36 statistics

Biggest differences

The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.

StatisticWashingtonWest Virginia
Consumer Affairs Overall RankGreenest States
1st
1st of 51
51st
51st of 51
10th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State
$61,760
1st of 51
$37,590
50th of 51
Avg. Annual Retirement Income (ZR)Average Retirement Income by State
$70,991
1st of 51
$48,525
50th of 51
Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
93.6%
1st of 51
86.1%
50th of 51
Millwright Avg Annual SalaryUnion Millwright Pay Scale by State
$66,621
1st of 50
$45,537
49th of 50
ROI Potential RankFarming-Friendly States
2nd
2nd of 50
50th
50th of 50
25th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State
$77,990
1st of 51
$43,900
49th of 51
Housing CostPension-Friendly States
38
47th of 49
100
1st of 49
% of Pop. with High School Diploma or EquivalentMost Educated U.S. States
21.1%
48th of 51
39.4%
1st of 51
75th Percentile WageTeacher Pay by State
$103,860
3rd of 51
$57,460
50th of 51
Annual Median WageSonographer Salary by State
$104,810
3rd of 51
$63,200
50th of 51
Average Mortage DebtDebt by State
$67,840
48th of 51
$20,770
1st of 51
Average Personal DebtDebt by State
$85,880
48th of 51
$37,850
1st of 51
Hourly Median WageSonographer Salary by State
$50.39
3rd of 51
$30.39
50th of 51
Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census)
$564,600
48th of 51
$162,600
1st of 51
Median Teacher SalaryTeacher Pay by State
$93,810
2nd of 51
$48,170
49th of 51
Price To Income RatioHousing Shortage by State
6.1
48th of 51
2.9
1st of 51
SmokersSmoking Rates by State
8%
tied 2nd of 50
21.0%
50th of 50
Smoking RateHealthiest States
7.9%
4th of 50
20.8%
50th of 50
GDP per CapitaGDP by State
$89,679
3rd of 50
$47,092
49th of 50
Lifestyle Habits & Health Outlook ScoreMost Unhealthy States in the U.S.
7.24
4th of 49
100
49th of 49
Medical Cannabis CostMarijuana Cost by State
$233
2nd of 50
$363
tied 47th of 50
Avg. Home PriceStates with No Property Tax
$519,800
47th of 51
$155,600
1st of 51
Annual IncomeAverage Income by State
$83,330
3rd of 51
$56,470
49th of 51
Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS)
$83,330
3rd of 51
$56,470
49th of 51
Average Hourly WageAverage Income by State
$40.06
3rd of 51
$27.15
49th of 51
Avg Annual SalaryDental Hygienists Salary by State
$106,200
3rd of 51
$61,050
49th of 51
Avg Hourly WageDental Hygienists Salary by State
$51.06
3rd of 51
$29.35
49th of 51
LPN Annual MedianNurses Pay by State
$141,040
3rd of 51
$108,830
49th of 51
LPN Hourly MedianNurses Pay by State
$67.81
3rd of 51
$52.32
49th of 51
See every statistic they shareSearch and sort all of them, adjust for cost of living or population, or add up to two more places.

Quick answers

Which is better, Washington or West Virginia?
Washington comes out ahead of West Virginia on 492 of 793 statistics where one end is better, to 291 with 10 ties. Washington leads on Education, Health and Facts & Trivia and 12 more categories. West Virginia leads on Travel. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
Which has more people, Washington or West Virginia?
Washington has a population of 8,074,082 (13th of 51 US states) and West Virginia has 1,764,892 (39th of 51).
How do Washington and West Virginia compare on Median Household Income?
Median Household Income: Washington $98,141 (8th of 51), West Virginia $59,608 (50th of 51) among US states. Washington ranks better.
How do Washington and West Virginia compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
Unemployment Rate (%): Washington 4.7% (tied 43rd of 51), West Virginia 4.2% (tied 30th of 51) among US states. West Virginia ranks better.
Where does Washington beat West Virginia most clearly?
Washington ranks far ahead on Consumer Affairs Overall Rank (Greenest States): 1st vs 51st; 10th Percentile Wage (Teacher Pay by State): $61,760 vs $37,590; Avg. Annual Retirement Income (ZR) (Average Retirement Income by State): $70,991 vs $48,525.
Where does West Virginia beat Washington most clearly?
West Virginia ranks far ahead on Housing Cost (Pension-Friendly States): 100 vs 38; % of Pop. with High School Diploma or Equivalent (Most Educated U.S. States): 39.4% vs 21.1%; Average Mortage Debt (Debt by State): $20,770 vs $67,840.

More matchups

Other comparisons with Washington or West Virginia.