West Virginia
87.9
composite · rank #5
- Housing
- 71.3
- Grocery
- 96.2
- Utilities
- 90.4
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026West Virginia vs Iowa Cost of Living
West Virginia has the lower cost of living by 0.7 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
West Virginia is lower
0.7 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Iowa is roughly $99,210 in West Virginia.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Iowa
88.6
composite · rank #7
- Housing
- 75.6
- Grocery
- 96.6
- Utilities
- 88.6
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | West Virginia | Iowa | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 96.2 | 96.6 | West Virginia |
| Housing | 71.3 | 75.6 | West Virginia |
| Utilities | 90.4 | 88.6 | Iowa |
| Transportation | 99.5 | 93.7 | Iowa |
| Health care | 89.5 | 94.3 | West Virginia |
| Misc. goods & services | 94.9 | 94.5 | Iowa |
Grocery
West Virginia96.2
Iowa96.6
Lower cost: West Virginia
Housing
West Virginia71.3
Iowa75.6
Lower cost: West Virginia
Utilities
West Virginia90.4
Iowa88.6
Lower cost: Iowa
Transportation
West Virginia99.5
Iowa93.7
Lower cost: Iowa
Health care
West Virginia89.5
Iowa94.3
Lower cost: West Virginia
Misc. goods & services
West Virginia94.9
Iowa94.5
Lower cost: Iowa
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Iowa | Needed in West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,398 | $49,605 |
| $75,000 | $75,597 | $74,407 |
| $100,000 | $100,796 | $99,210 |
| $150,000 | $151,195 | $148,815 |
| $250,000 | $251,991 | $248,025 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Iowa$50,398
In West Virginia$49,605
$75,000 origin salary
In Iowa$75,597
In West Virginia$74,407
$100,000 origin salary
In Iowa$100,796
In West Virginia$99,210
$150,000 origin salary
In Iowa$151,195
In West Virginia$148,815
Housing gap
West Virginia housing is 71.3; Iowa is 75.6.
Salary planning
$100,000 in West Virginia is roughly $100,796 in Iowa.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
West Virginia vs Iowa cost of living FAQs
West Virginia has the lower cost of living by 0.7 index points. The composite indexes are 87.9 in West Virginia and 88.6 in Iowa (US average = 100).
About $100,796 in Iowa would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in West Virginia, based on the composite indexes.
About $99,210 in West Virginia would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Iowa.
Housing indexes are 71.3 in West Virginia and 75.6 in Iowa. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
West Virginia has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.