Tennessee vs West Virginia:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Tennessee (no income tax) and West Virginia (4.82% top rate, graduated). See which state lets you keep more at every salary level, and how cost of living changes the picture.
Tax Structure: Tennessee vs West Virginia
Tennessee has no state income tax, while West Virginia uses a graduated system with rates of 2.22-4.82%. On a $100K salary, this creates a state tax difference of $3,133/year that Tennessee residents simply don’t pay.
West Virginia’s graduated brackets mean the gap between these two states widens at higher salaries. At $200K, the state tax difference grows to $6,266/year, while at $50K it’s only $1,567.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
Tennessee wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage is consistent and significant across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Tennessee | West Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $34,320 | $33,067 | −$1,253 | Tennessee |
| $50K | $42,355 | $40,789 | −$1,567 | Tennessee |
| $60K | $50,390 | $48,510 | −$1,880 | Tennessee |
| $75K | $61,538 | $59,188 | −$2,350 | Tennessee |
| $100K | $79,125 | $75,992 | −$3,133 | Tennessee |
| $120K | $93,195 | $89,435 | −$3,760 | Tennessee |
| $150K | $113,751 | $109,052 | −$4,700 | Tennessee |
| $200K | $148,887 | $142,621 | −$6,266 | Tennessee |
| $250K | $183,264 | $175,432 | −$7,833 | Tennessee |
| $300K | $215,329 | $205,930 | −$9,399 | Tennessee |
Cost of Living: Tennessee (90) vs West Virginia (83)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Tennessee has a cost of living index of 90 while West Virginia is at 83 (national average = 100).
The cost of living gap is moderate. After adjustment, $100K has purchasing power of $87,917 in Tennessee vs $91,557 in West Virginia. However, West Virginia actually provides better purchasing power despite Tennessee’s take-home advantage.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $84,710 in Tennessee and $81,577 in West Virginia \u2014 a difference of $3,133. The gap remains similar regardless of filing status.
Should You Move from West Virginia to Tennessee?
On paper, moving from West Virginia to Tennessee would save $3,133/year on a $100K salary, or $15,665 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
The $3,133/year savings is meaningful but probably not enough to justify a move on its own. However, combined with other factors like career growth, lifestyle preferences, or family proximity, it could tip the scale.