Best States to Move to From West Virginia
West Virginia uses 2.36% – 5.12%, so the value of a move depends on more than just the headline rate. Some states will still leave you with a meaningfully lower total tax bill than West Virginia. Use the ranking tool below to compare all 50 states and see how much you could save based on your actual income and filing status.
Most Tax Savings
AlaskaSave $3,425/yr
Your Tax Burden
$3,4253.43% effective state rate
Federal + FICA
$21,099Same across all states
At your income of $100,000, West Virginia charges $3,425 in state income tax (3.43% effective rate).
Best option: Alaska saves you $3,425/year — With no state income tax, your take-home pay in Alaska is higher than most states. However, the cost of living — particularly housing, food, and energy — is significantly above the national average, which can offset the tax savings.
Highest tax: Oregon would cost you $3,662/year more than West Virginia.
| # | State | State Tax | Eff. Rate | Total Tax | Take-Home | Annual Savings ▼ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 2 | Florida | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 3 | Nevada | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 5 | South Dakota | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 6 | Tennessee | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 7 | Texas | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 8 | Washington | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 9 | Wyoming | $0 | 0.00% | $21,099 | $78,901 | +$3,425 | |
| 10 | North Dakota | $771 | 0.77% | $21,870 | $78,130 | +$2,654 | |
| 11 | Ohio | $1,601 | 1.60% | $22,700 | $77,301 | +$1,825 | |
| 12 | Arizona | $2,106 | 2.11% | $23,205 | $76,795 | +$1,319 | |
| 13 | Indiana | $2,570 | 2.57% | $23,669 | $76,331 | +$855 | |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $2,586 | 2.59% | $23,685 | $76,315 | +$839 | |
| 15 | Louisiana | $2,999 | 3.00% | $24,098 | $75,902 | +$426 | |
| 16 | Arkansas | $3,208 | 3.21% | $24,307 | $75,693 | +$217 | |
| 17 | New Jersey | $3,240 | 3.24% | $24,339 | $75,661 | +$185 | |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $3,267 | 3.27% | $24,366 | $75,634 | +$158 | |
| 19 | Kentucky | $3,370 | 3.37% | $24,469 | $75,531 | +$55 | |
| 20 | West VirginiaYour state | $3,425 | 3.43% | $24,524 | $75,476 | — | |
| 21 | Mississippi | $3,490 | 3.49% | $24,589 | $75,411 | -$65 | |
| 22 | Michigan | $3,581 | 3.58% | $24,680 | $75,320 | -$156 | |
| 23 | Colorado | $3,707 | 3.71% | $24,806 | $75,194 | -$282 | |
| 24 | North Carolina | $3,791 | 3.79% | $24,890 | $75,110 | -$366 | |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $3,813 | 3.81% | $24,912 | $75,088 | -$388 | |
| 26 | New Mexico | $3,849 | 3.85% | $24,948 | $75,052 | -$424 | |
| 27 | Connecticut | $3,884 | 3.88% | $24,983 | $75,017 | -$459 | |
| 28 | Utah | $3,918 | 3.92% | $25,017 | $74,983 | -$493 | |
| 29 | Missouri | $3,932 | 3.93% | $25,031 | $74,969 | -$507 | |
| 30 | Maryland | $3,949 | 3.95% | $25,048 | $74,952 | -$524 | |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $4,079 | 4.08% | $25,178 | $74,822 | -$654 | |
| 32 | Vermont | $4,085 | 4.08% | $25,184 | $74,816 | -$660 | |
| 33 | Illinois | $4,170 | 4.17% | $25,269 | $74,731 | -$745 | |
| 34 | Alabama | $4,173 | 4.17% | $25,272 | $74,729 | -$747 | |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $4,213 | 4.21% | $25,312 | $74,689 | -$787 | |
| 36 | Nebraska | $4,252 | 4.25% | $25,351 | $74,649 | -$827 | |
| 37 | Kansas | $4,345 | 4.34% | $25,444 | $74,556 | -$920 | |
| 38 | California | $4,378 | 4.38% | $25,477 | $74,523 | -$952 | |
| 39 | Georgia | $4,394 | 4.39% | $25,493 | $74,507 | -$969 | |
| 40 | Iowa | $4,503 | 4.50% | $25,602 | $74,398 | -$1,078 | |
| 41 | Delaware | $4,544 | 4.54% | $25,643 | $74,357 | -$1,119 | |
| 42 | Virginia | $4,587 | 4.59% | $25,686 | $74,314 | -$1,162 | |
| 43 | South Carolina | $4,699 | 4.70% | $25,798 | $74,202 | -$1,274 | |
| 44 | Montana | $4,725 | 4.72% | $25,824 | $74,176 | -$1,300 | |
| 45 | New York | $4,729 | 4.73% | $25,828 | $74,172 | -$1,304 | |
| 46 | Idaho | $4,887 | 4.89% | $25,986 | $74,015 | -$1,461 | |
| 47 | Minnesota | $5,293 | 5.29% | $26,392 | $73,608 | -$1,868 | |
| 48 | Maine | $5,559 | 5.56% | $26,658 | $73,342 | -$2,134 | |
| 49 | District of Columbia | $5,561 | 5.56% | $26,660 | $73,340 | -$2,136 | |
| 50 | Hawaii | $6,204 | 6.20% | $27,303 | $72,697 | -$2,779 | |
| 51 | Oregon | $7,087 | 7.09% | $28,186 | $71,814 | -$3,662 |
About Taxes in West Virginia
This state uses a progressive income tax system with multiple brackets, similar to the federal system. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate, so your effective state rate is lower than the top bracket. Tax planning strategies include maximizing pre-tax retirement contributions to reduce state-taxable income.
Tip: In a progressive-bracket state, pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions reduce your state tax bill along with federal tax. If you are near a bracket boundary, an additional contribution can drop you into a lower state bracket.
What to Consider When Moving
Tax residency rules: Most states tax you as a resident for the entire year if you live there for more than 183 days. Moving mid-year may require filing part-year returns in both states.
Remote work complication: Some states, notably New York, use "convenience of the employer" rules. If you move but keep an employer in a higher-tax state, part of your income may still be sourced there.
Total cost matters: A no-income-tax state saves you the full state tax amount, but higher property taxes (Texas), sales taxes (Tennessee, Washington), or cost of living can erode the savings. Compare total out-of-pocket, not just income tax.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the lowest taxes if I move from West Virginia?
States with no income tax — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — often offer the biggest income tax savings compared to West Virginia. Use the ranking tool above with your actual income and filing status to see the exact best-fit destination for you.
How much would I save moving from West Virginia to Texas or Florida?
Because Texas and Florida have no state income tax, your savings can equal most or all of your West Virginia state income tax bill. The exact amount depends on your income, filing status, spending, and home value.
What is West Virginia's income tax rate?
West Virginia has 2.36% – 5.12%, with a top marginal rate of 5.12%. Your effective rate depends on income, filing status, deductions, and credits.
Do all states have income tax?
No. Nine states have no individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Should I consider other taxes when comparing states?
Yes. Income tax is only one part of your total tax burden. Property taxes, sales taxes, housing costs, and local taxes can materially change whether a move actually saves money.
Does this calculator include federal taxes?
The ranking focuses on state-to-state tax differences. Federal income tax and FICA are broadly similar no matter where you live, so the ranking is most useful for isolating the state-level part of the move decision.