

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.
| Statistic | Washington | West 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.
| Statistic | Washington | West 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 |
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.
- Alabama vs Washington
- Alaska vs Washington
- Arizona vs Washington
- Arkansas vs Washington
- California vs Washington
- Colorado vs Washington
- Connecticut vs Washington
- Delaware vs Washington
- 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