2026 State Take-Home Comparison
Virginia vs West Virginia Take-Home Pay (2026)
Moving from Virginia to West Virginia: paycheck difference after taxes
On a $75,000 salary, moving from Virginia to West Virginia means earning $119 more per year after taxes — about $5 more per biweekly paycheck. Federal income tax and FICA stay the same; the difference comes from state tax.
What changes: State income tax. What stays the same: Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) are the same in every state for the same salary and filing status. Estimates based on $75,000 salary, single, biweekly. Use the calculator below for your numbers.
Virginia vs West Virginia — Take-Home Pay Overview
Virginia uses a progressive state income tax with multiple brackets, while West Virginia uses a progressive state income tax with multiple brackets.
For workers comparing the two states, that means West Virginia generally leaves more paycheck income after withholding than Virginia under the same salary assumptions.
| Salary | Virginia Take-Home | West Virginia Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,128 | $40,911 |
| $75,000 | $58,928 | $59,047 |
| $100,000 | $75,078 | $75,489 |
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $412 more per year in West Virginia than in Virginia.
$100,000 Salary: Virginia vs West Virginia
| Tax / Component | Virginia | West Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | same |
| State Income Tax | $4,103 | $3,691 | +$412 |
| Social Security | $6,200 | $6,200 | same |
| Medicare | $1,450 | $1,450 | same |
| Take-Home Pay | $75,078 | $75,489 | -$412 |
$100,000 — Rent affordability: Virginia vs West Virginia
| Metric | Virginia | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Net take-home / year | $75,078 | $75,489 |
| Net take-home / month | $6,256 | $6,291 |
| Median 1BR rent (HUD) | $900 | $700 |
| Rent as % of take-home | 14.4% ✓ | 11.1% ✓ |
Rent: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025 · Spending: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023
$75,000 Salary: Virginia vs West Virginia
| Tax / Component | Virginia | West Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $7,670 | $7,670 | same |
| State Income Tax | $2,665 | $2,546 | +$119 |
| Social Security | $4,650 | $4,650 | same |
| Medicare | $1,088 | $1,088 | same |
| Take-Home Pay | $58,928 | $59,047 | -$119 |
Take-Home Pay Comparison: Virginia vs West Virginia
For a single filer at $100,000, West Virginia puts $411.68 more per year in your pocket than Virginia — $34 per month.
| Annual Salary | Virginia | West Virginia | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $41,127.5 | $40,910.85 | +$216.65 (Virginia) |
| $75,000 | $58,927.5 | $59,046.68 | $-119.18 (Virginia) |
| $100,000 | $75,077.5 | $75,489.18 | $-411.68 (Virginia) |
| $125,000 | $91,163.5 | $91,867.68 | $-704.18 (Virginia) |
| $150,000 | $106,813.5 | $107,810.18 | $-996.68 (Virginia) |
After subtracting median 1-bedroom rent, West Virginia residents keep $65,889.18 per year vs $57,077.5 in Virginia. See full cost-adjusted ranking →
Calculate your exact Virginia vs West Virginia take-home →Calculation assumptions
- Standard withholding per IRS Publication 15-T (2026)
- Social Security wage base: $184,500 (SSA 2026)
- No pre-tax deductions, no post-tax deductions
- Filing status: Single, one job
- Standard W-4 withholding (no additional withholding elections)
- Actual paycheck may differ based on employer setup, benefits, or W-4 elections
Calculate your take-home pay in each state:
Calculate your exact take-home pay
- Use the Virginia paycheck calculator →
- Use the West Virginia paycheck calculator →
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- Compare full job offers with cost-of-living adjustment