Arizona to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,963 mile interstate move from Arizona to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh summers vs mild climates), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in West Virginia is 47.79% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to West Virginia movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to West Virginia
- Harsh summers
- Water shortages
- High cost of living
- Limited greenery
- Mild climates
- Abundant water resources
- Lower cost of living
- Lush landscapes
- Fewer urban amenities
- Rural job market
- Less cultural diversity
- Fewer restaurant choices
- Lively urban areas
- Established tech scene
- Diverse culture
- Extensive dining options
Pros of moving from Arizona to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to harsh summers and hello to mild climates
- Look forward to moving away from water shortages and moving to West Virginia with abundant water resources
- Swap the high cost of living in Arizona for a lower cost of living in West Virginia
- Get ready for lush landscapes in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Arizona to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lively urban areas in Arizona to live with fewer urban amenities in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of an established tech scene and have to settle for the con of a rural job market
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in West Virginia
- Swap extensive dining options for fewer restaurant choices
Arizona vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Tamales | Mushroom and Ramp Dish |
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 Arizona to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Tacos, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Tamales they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom and Ramp Dish of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Barrio CafΓ©, and Durant's. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Greenbrier, Black Sheep Burrito and Brews, and Tudor's Biscuit World.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and West Virginia
Comparison | Arizona | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Scenic Views | Mountain Views, Privacy |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and scenic views, 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 Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- West Virginia housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in West Virginia is 47.79% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and West Virginia
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Flooding, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/78Β°F | 85Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/46Β°F | 41Β°F/26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 43% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and snowstorms in West Virginia.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 19 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 32 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and West Virginia
Comparison | Arizona | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 - 4.5 | 3 - 6.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66 | 0.57 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.6 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Mining | Energy, Chemicals, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Challenging | Less Severe |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 27% less than in Arizona
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in WV is 3% to 6.5% compared to 2.59% to 4.5% in AZ
- The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is challenging in Arizona and less severe in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Arizona | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans slightly conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Urban vs rural divide | Strong rural influence |
Religion | Christian (Catholic & Evangelical), diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian (Protestant) |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed and leans slightly conservative in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Protestant)
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Evangelical), with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to West Virginia
Comparison | Arizona | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) BASIS Chandler Primary - North Campus (Chandler) Archway Classical Academy (Scottsdale) | Steptoe & Johnson Elementary (Bridgeport) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) North Elementary School (Morgantown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler (Chandler) BASIS Peoria (Peoria) BASIS Oro Valley (Oro Valley) | Mountaineer Middle School (Morgantown) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) |
Top 3 High Schools | BASIS Chandler (Chandler) BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) University High School (Tucson) | George Washington High School (Charleston) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tesseract School (Phoenix) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Verde Valley School (Sedona) | St. Joseph Central Catholic High School (Huntington) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Monongalia County Schools Bridgeport School District Morgantown School District |
How Much Do Arizona to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,963 miles from Arizona to West Virginia will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,315 | 300 ft3 | $7.72 |
1 Bedroom | $3,451 | 450 ft3 | $7.67 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,713 | 750 ft3 | $7.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,325 | 1100 ft3 | $7.57 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,029 | 1600 ft3 | $7.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,442 | 1800 ft3 | $7.47 |
Top Arizona to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to West Virginia