Arkansas to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

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
- Hot summers
- Severe tornadoes
- Limited public transport
- High property taxes
- Allergy sources
- Cooler temperatures
- Fewer natural disasters
- Public transport options
- Lower property taxes
- Cleaner air
- Colder winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Higher cost living
- Limited agricultural focus
- Limited food variety
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Tamales | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burger | Morel Mushrooms |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
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
Comparison | Arkansas | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to nature | Mountain 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 Arkansasβs $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
Comparison | Arkansas | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Floods, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 51Β°F / 32Β°F | 41Β°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
Comparison | Arkansas | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 95 |
State Income Tax | Up to 5.5% | 3% to 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.47% | 6.50% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail | Mining, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Arkansas | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Local decisions often influenced by agricultural interests | Energy sector (coal) has significant influence |
Religion | Highly religious, predominately Christian | Highly 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
Comparison | Arkansas | West 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 Schools | Baker 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 Schools | Lisa 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 Schools | Haas 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 schools | Pulaski 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 schools | Little 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 Districts | Bentonville School District; Fayetteville Public Schools; Rogers Public Schools | Monongalia 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,648 | 300 ft3 | $5.49 |
1 Bedroom | $2,450 | 450 ft3 | $5.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,045 | 750 ft3 | $5.39 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,878 | 1100 ft3 | $5.34 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,470 | 1600 ft3 | $5.29 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,439 | 1800 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.

B2 Moving
Best moving company overall for Arkansas to West Virginia
