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Arkansas to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 786 mile interstate move from Arkansas to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arkansas), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
  • West Virginia housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Arkansas
  • Rent in West Virginia is 24.09% more affordable than in Arkansas
  • Moving from Arkansas to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Arkansas to West Virginia movers is B2 Moving

Arkansas to West Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to West Virginia

ConsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Hot summers
  • Severe tornadoes
  • Limited public transport
  • High property taxes
  • Allergy sources
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Fewer natural disasters
  • Public transport options
  • Lower property taxes
  • Cleaner air

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Colder winters
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Higher cost living
  • Limited agricultural focus
  • Limited food variety
Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Mild winters
  • Lively arts scene
  • Affordable living
  • Famous rice production
  • Southern cuisine

Pros of moving from Arkansas to West Virginia

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from severe tornadoes and moving to West Virginia with fewer natural disasters
  • Swap the limited public transport of Arkansas for public transport options in West Virginia
  • Get ready for lower property taxes in West Virginia

Cons of moving from Arkansas to West Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Arkansas to live with colder winters in West Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a lively arts scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural events
  • Time to bid farewell to affordable living and get used to a higher cost of living in West Virginia
  • Swap famous rice production for limited agricultural focus

Arkansas vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemFried CatfishPepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishBarbecue RibsCountry Ham
Most popular street food itemTamalesHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean BurgerMorel Mushrooms
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • Sim's Bar-B-Que
  • Ozark Cafe
  • Pies & Pints
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Hillbilly Hot Dogs
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Arkansas to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Tamales, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Morel Mushrooms of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Sim's Bar-B-Que, and Ozark Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Pies and Pints, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Hillbilly Hot Dogs.

When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and West Virginia

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, proximity to natureMountain views, privacy
  • The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
  • Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to nature, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. West Virginia is more walkable than Arkansas.
  • West Virginia is similarly bike-friendly to Arkansas.
  • West Virginia has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
  • West Virginia housing costs are 21% less expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Arkansas’s $203,305.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
  • Rent in West Virginia is 24.09% more affordable than in Arkansas.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and West Virginia

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsFloods, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)92Β°F / 72Β°F85Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)51Β°F / 32Β°F41Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"52"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"33"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
  • West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential floods and winter storms in West Virginia.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 7 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Arkansas.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and West Virginia

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$55,432$54,329
Cost of Living Index90.595
State Income TaxUp to 5.5%3% to 6.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.61%0.59%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%6.50%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, RetailMining, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 2% less than in Arkansas
  • The COLI in West Virginia is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
  • The state income tax in WV is 3% to 6.5% compared to up to 5.5% in AR
  • The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to moderate affluence in Arkansas
  • The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate poverty in Arkansas
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Arkansas and low in West Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. West Virginia

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Conservative
Local PoliticsLocal decisions often influenced by agricultural interestsEnergy sector (coal) has significant influence
ReligionHighly religious, predominately ChristianHighly religious, predominately Christian
  • Arkansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative
  • West Virginia's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominately Christian
  • Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominately Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to West Virginia

ComparisonArkansasWest Virginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBaker Interdistrict Elementary School
Little Rock; Forest Park Elementary
Little Rock; Vandergriff Elementary School
Fayetteville
North Elementary School
Morgantown; Suncrest Primary School
Morgantown; Eastwood Elementary School
Morgantown
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLisa Academy North Middle Charter
Sherwood; Haas Hall Academy
Fayetteville; Fulbright Junior High School
Bentonville
Winfield Middle School
Winfield; Bridgeport Middle School
Bridgeport; Suncrest Middle School
Morgantown
Top 3 High School SchoolsHaas Hall Academy
Fayetteville; Bentonville High School
Bentonville; Central High School
Little Rock
George Washington High School
Charleston; Bridgeport High School
Bridgeport; Morgantown High School
Morgantown
Top 3 private high schoolsPulaski Academy
Little Rock; Subiaco Academy
Subiaco; Mount St. Mary Academy
Little Rock
The Linsly School
Wheeling; Greenbrier Episcopal School
Lewisburg; Wheeling Country Day School
Wheeling
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLittle Rock Christian Academy
Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School
Springdale; Episcopal Collegiate School
Little Rock
Charleston Catholic High School
Charleston; Notre Dame High School
Clarksburg; Wheeling Central Catholic High School
Wheeling
Top 3 School DistrictsBentonville School District; Fayetteville Public Schools; Rogers Public SchoolsMonongalia County Schools; Kanawha County Schools; Harrison County Schools

How Much Do Arkansas to West Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 786 miles from Arkansas to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,648300 ft3$5.49
1 Bedroom$2,450450 ft3$5.44
2 Bedrooms$4,045750 ft3$5.39
3 Bedrooms$5,8781100 ft3$5.34
4 Bedrooms$8,4701600 ft3$5.29
5+ Bedrooms$9,4391800 ft3$5.24

Top Arkansas to West Virginia Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for Arkansas to West Virginia

9.44/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Elite Moving

Elite Moving

8.88/10
Superb
Top Arkansas to West Virginia Routes

Little Rock to West Virginia