Cost of living comparison
West Virginia is 6.5% cheaper than Iowa.
- Restaurants
-
pay 3.4% less in West Virginia
- Groceries
-
pay 11.8% less in West Virginia
- Transportation
-
pay 12.0% more in West Virginia
- Housing
-
pay 4.9% more in West Virginia
- Childcare
-
pay 25.6% less in West Virginia
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 18.7% less in West Virginia
- Clothing
-
pay 2.9% less in West Virginia
The cost of transportation and housing in West Virginia are more expensive than in Iowa. Expenses including childcare, entertainment and sports, groceries, restaurants, and clothing are lower in West Virginia.
If you lived in West Virginia instead of Iowa, you would:
pay 3.4% less for restaurants
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$15.50
|
$14.67
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.86
|
$8.42
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.25
|
$2.17
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.61
|
$1.76
|
|
pay 11.8% less for groceries
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.75
|
$2.56
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.26
|
$4.40
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.55
|
$3.07
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.97
|
$2.31
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.90
|
$4.05
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.27
|
$2.14
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.66
|
$0.65
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.31
|
$1.70
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$1.79
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.17
|
$1.07
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$1.40
|
|
pay 12.0% more for transportation
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.26
|
$3.31
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$41.60
|
$50.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,209.92
|
$32,806.12
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$15.53
|
$17.04
|
|
pay 4.9% more for housing
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.83
|
$69.10
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,149.79
|
$966.47
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$848.38
|
$831.25
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$132.52
|
$181.51
|
|
pay 25.6% less for childcare
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,043.98
|
$1,030.46
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$19,039.50
|
$9,548.27
|
|
pay 18.7% less for entertainment and sports
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$4.95
|
$3.88
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.14
|
$3.93
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.68
|
$8.75
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.12
|
$32.75
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.83
|
$12.50
|
|
pay 2.9% less for clothing
|
Iowa
|
West Virginia
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.44
|
$47.18
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$39.50
|
$39.61
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.35
|
$81.59
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$105.02
|
$101.64
|
|
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