Life Expectancy
Delaware residents live 4.1 years longer on average
Delaware has a life expectancy of 76.9 yrs vs 72.8 yrs in West Virginia, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Delaware vs West Virginia: Life Expectancy
Delaware has a higher life expectancy than West Virginia.
Delaware
DE • South
76.9 yrs
Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
West Virginia
WV • South
72.8 yrs
Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Visual Comparison
Delaware
76.9 yrs
West Virginia
72.8 yrs
Health Context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Health
Poverty
Delaware has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. Delaware's lower poverty rate (10.5%) versus West Virginia (16.7%) is part of the longevity story.
View detailed comparisonIncome
Delaware has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. Delaware leads at $79,325 vs $52,480 in West Virginia.
View detailed comparisonAffordability
West Virginia has a lower cost of living
Lower living costs mean more disposable income for healthcare. West Virginia's cost-of-living index is 83.6 vs 103.2 in the other state.
View detailed comparisonHealth Snapshot
Delaware
Health
Life expectancy
76.9 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$79,325
Poverty rate
10.5%
Cost of living index
103.2
West Virginia
Health
Life expectancy
72.8 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$52,480
Poverty rate
16.7%
Cost of living index
83.6
What Stands Out
- Delaware has the higher life expectancy at 76.9 years.
- Delaware has the lower poverty rate.
- Delaware has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Delaware vs West Virginia: Life Expectancy in context
Delaware has a life expectancy of 76.9 yrs, compared with 72.8 yrs in West Virginia. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Delaware
76.9 yrs
West Virginia
72.8 yrs
People Also Ask
Delaware vs West Virginia Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Delaware's life expectancy?
Delaware's life expectancy is 76.9 yrs.
Q What is West Virginia's life expectancy?
West Virginia's life expectancy is 72.8 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Delaware or West Virginia?
Delaware has a higher life expectancy than West Virginia.
More Comparisons: Delaware vs West Virginia
Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.
Explore Each State
Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.