6CA wins
5WV wins
Category Overlay
CaliforniaWest Virginia
Category Scores
💰 EconomyCA +27.4
CA
41.3
WV
13.9
🛡️ SafetyWV +29.6
CA
43.8
WV
73.4
🏥 HealthCA +65.3
CA
69.4
WV
4.1
🎓 EducationCA +40.8
CA
46.9
WV
6.1
💼 Fiscal HealthWV +12.6
CA
47.5
WV
60.1
📈 GrowthWV +17.2
CA
10.1
WV
27.3
🏠 AffordabilityWV +80.0
CA
7.2
WV
87.2
🌿 EnvironmentWV +4.1
CA
24.7
WV
28.8
🏞️ Outdoor AccessCA +24.1
CA
40.8
WV
16.7
🚇 TransportationCA +18.3
CA
53.0
WV
34.7
🎭 LivabilityCA +3.6
CA
37.5
WV
33.9
Key Metrics Comparison
| Metric | California | West Virginia | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,965,193 | 1,770,071 | CA |
| Median Income | $91,905 | $54,515 | CA |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | 4.7% | WV |
| Violent Crime Rate(per 100K) | 440 | 285 | WV |
| Cost of Living(100 = national avg) | 113 | 90 | WV |
| HS Graduation Rate | 85% | 91% | WV |
| Life Expectancy | 79.8 yr | 74 yr | CA |
| Pop Growth | +0.2% | 0% | CA |
California vs West Virginia: How Do They Compare?
California ranks #40 overall with a composite score of 42.9, earning a C grade. West Virginia sits at #46 with 34.4 and a D grade. California has the edge overall, winning 6 of 11 categories.
On the economic front, California has 5.4% unemployment and a $91,905 median income, while West Virginia reports 4.7% unemployment and $54,515 median income.
For safety, California's violent crime rate is 440 per 100K compared to 285 in West Virginia. Cost of living favors West Virginia with an index of 90 vs 113.
Explore These States
Data Sources
📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (Dec 2025)📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023📎FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2023📎America's Health Rankings, 2025📎WalletHub/NAEP, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024📎Cook Political Report, PVI 2024📎Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures 2025📎ALEC Rich States Poor States, 2025📎WalletHub Tax Burden Study, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau / FHFA, 2025📎BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023📎EPA AirData, Median AQI by County 2024📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎FEMA National Risk Index v1.20, 2025📎U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration 2024📎FCC / BroadbandNow, Broadband Access 2025📎National Park Service API, 2024📎USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), 2024📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2023 (Commuting)📎FHWA Highway Statistics, 2023📎U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022📎EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024📎EIA Natural Gas Prices, 2024📎DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2023📎BEA Regional Price Parities (Food), 2023📎NCES Common Core of Data (CCD), 2023-24📎EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates, 2021-22📎NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33), 2022-23📎BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9), 2023📎NASBO Fiscal Survey of States, FY2023📎Census Bureau State Government Finances, FY2022📎Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50, FY2023📎Pew Charitable Trusts, FY2022📎S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia, 2025📎Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES (May 2023)📎IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration 2022-2023