Want to live and work in West Virginia?

West Virginia is among the states with the lowest cost of living in the US. Rent, property values, food, and energy are well below the national average. It is possible to find large homes on generous lots at prices that seem unreal to someone coming from New York or Washington.

State income tax is progressive (up to about 6.5%). Property tax is among the lowest in the US. Healthcare costs, gas, and daily services tend to weigh less than in most states. In return, average wages are also lower.

For those who work remotely for companies in more expensive states, West Virginia can offer excellent quality of life at reduced cost. The state has been actively encouraging this migration with programs targeting remote workers. For retirees, it is one of the most affordable states in the eastern US.

The largest employer in the state is the healthcare sector, with hospitals tied to WVU and CAMC (Charleston Area Medical Center) among the biggest. Universities, especially West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Coal, historically the most important sector, is still present but contracting. Companies like Murray Energy and Arch Resources employ far fewer than they did decades ago, and many communities face the challenge of economic transition. Natural gas has grown, and the chemical industry has weight in some regions.

State and federal government in Charleston and the surrounding area employs thousands in stable positions. Nature tourism (whitewater rafting on the New River, skiing at Snowshoe, ATV riding on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails) has grown in recent years. Remote work has also expanded, with the state creating programs to attract technology and service professionals who want to live in the countryside.

The US has no universal public healthcare. In West Virginia, workers with formal employment receive a health plan from their employer. For others, HealthCare.gov offers plans with income-based subsidies. The state expanded Medicaid, broadening coverage for low-income families.

Children and pregnant women have access through CHIP. Without insurance, a simple ER visit exceeds $1,500. West Virginia faces a serious opioid crisis, with overdose rates among the highest in the US. Treatment programs exist but demand exceeds capacity.

WVU Medicine in Morgantown is the regional reference for complex cases. CAMC in Charleston and Mountain Health Network in Huntington serve the rest of the state. Rural areas face a growing shortage of doctors and hospitals that have closed, which is a serious problem for isolated communities.

West Virginia is one of the states where a car is most essential. The mountains make roads long and winding, and public transit is minimal outside cities. Even in Charleston and Huntington, the bus system covers the basics with low frequency. Morgantown has a unique automated rail system (PRT) connecting the WVU campus.

Uber and Lyft work in the larger cities but have limited coverage in rural areas. To visit people in remote valleys, a car is practically required. Winter roads can close due to snow and ice, especially in higher elevations.

The state's airports are small. Charleston (CRW) and Huntington (HTS) have flights to some US cities, usually with a connection. For international destinations, many residents use Pittsburgh (PIT), Washington Dulles (IAD), or Cincinnati (CVG), all a few hours away by car.

West Virginia's culture is deeply rooted in the Appalachians. Bluegrass music, with banjos, fiddles, and acoustic guitars, is a living tradition, with festivals throughout the year. The fiddle is the state's symbolic instrument. Country Roads, by John Denver, has become the unofficial state anthem, played at stadiums, weddings, and parties.

Outdoor life is part of everyday existence. Hunting, fishing, hiking, ATV riding on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, whitewater rafting on the New River Gorge, and skiing at Snowshoe are common activities. The New River Gorge National Park, established in 2020, is the newest in the national park system.

Mining culture left its mark. Entire towns grew around coal mines, and some are now struggling to reinvent themselves. Families have stories of generations in the mines. The hospitality of rural America, with strong community bonds, church, and generous meals (pinto beans, cornbread, biscuits), shapes daily life.

West Virginia has around 30,000 residents born outside the country, close to 1.7% of the population, one of the lowest immigrant shares in the United States. Mexicans and Central Americans form part of the group, in small communities tied to construction, food service, and food processing. Indians concentrate in Morgantown and Huntington, tied to West Virginia University and hospitals. Filipinos have a historic presence in nursing, especially in Charleston and Huntington. Chinese and Eastern Europeans round out the picture, with an academic presence in Morgantown.

The state has no career consulates, and residents turn to Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, or Philadelphia for consular services. The offering of immigrant-focused organizations is limited. Catholic Charities of West Virginia provides social services that include support for newcomers in Wheeling, Charleston, and Huntington. The Religious Coalition for Community Renewal and local congregations offer ESL and basic orientation. The American Friends Service Committee has a historic presence in the state, and Mountain State Justice provides advocacy for inland migrant workers.