Virginia vs West Virginia:
Take-Home Pay Comparison
Side-by-side tax comparison between Virginia (5.75% top rate, graduated) 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: Virginia vs West Virginia
Virginia uses a graduated income tax (2-5.75%) while West Virginia has a graduated system (2.22-4.82%). On a $100K salary, Virginia takes $3,738 in state and local taxes compared to West Virginia’s $3,133 \u2014 a difference of $605.
Both states use graduated brackets, but Virginia’s top rate of 5.75% is higher than West Virginia’s 4.82%.
Take-Home at Every Salary Level
West Virginia wins at 10 out of 10 salary levels tested. The advantage exists but is modest across the income spectrum.
| Salary | Virginia | West Virginia | Difference | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40K | $32,825 | $33,067 | +$242 | West Virginia |
| $50K | $40,486 | $40,789 | +$302 | West Virginia |
| $60K | $48,148 | $48,510 | +$363 | West Virginia |
| $75K | $58,734 | $59,188 | +$453 | West Virginia |
| $100K | $75,388 | $75,992 | +$605 | West Virginia |
| $120K | $88,710 | $89,435 | +$725 | West Virginia |
| $150K | $108,145 | $109,052 | +$907 | West Virginia |
| $200K | $141,412 | $142,621 | +$1,209 | West Virginia |
| $250K | $173,920 | $175,432 | +$1,511 | West Virginia |
| $300K | $204,116 | $205,930 | +$1,814 | West Virginia |
Cost of Living: Virginia (103) vs West Virginia (83)
Take-home pay only tells part of the story. Virginia has a cost of living index of 103 while West Virginia is at 83 (national average = 100).
This is a substantial difference. After adjusting for cost of living, $100K in Virginia has purchasing power of $73,192 compared to $91,557 in West Virginia. West Virginia wins on both raw take-home and cost-adjusted purchasing power, making it the clear winner for a $100K earner.
Married Filing Jointly: How It Changes the Comparison
For a single earner at $100K filing jointly, take-home becomes $81,548 in Virginia and $82,059 in West Virginia \u2014 a difference of $512. The gap narrows under married filing, as the wider brackets reduce the tax bite in both states.
Should You Move from Virginia to West Virginia?
On paper, moving from Virginia to West Virginia would save $605/year on a $100K salary, or $3,023 over 5 years. But relocation involves real costs: moving expenses, potentially buying/selling a home, changing jobs, and adjusting to a new community.
At $605/year, the tax difference alone likely isn’t worth relocating for. Other factors — job market, lifestyle, family — should drive the decision. The tax savings are a nice bonus if you’re already considering the move for other reasons.