Delaware to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 395 mile interstate move from Delaware to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Scrapple vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs traditional, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Broiled Crab Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
- West Virginia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in West Virginia is 46.02% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to West Virginia movers is Country Roads Moving LLC
Delaware to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to West Virginia
- Higher cost of living
- Limited outdoor activities
- Densely populated
- Industrial cities
- Lower cost of living
- Abundant nature access
- More open space
- Scenic landscapes
- Limited coastal access
- Fewer job avenues
- Less historical sites
- Limited transit options
- Beach access
- Job opportunities
- Rich history
- Better public transportation
Pros of moving from Delaware to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to West Virginia with abundant nature access
- Swap the densely populated area of Delaware for more open space in West Virginia
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Delaware to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beach access in Delaware to live with limited coastal access in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of job opportunities and have to settle for the con of fewer job avenues
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in West Virginia
- Swap better public transportation for limited transit options
Delaware vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Broiled Crab Cakes | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Italian Subs | Hot Dogs with Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | Vegetarian Chili |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Delaware to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Broiled Crab Cakes and sumptuous Italian Subs, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Hot Dogs with Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetarian Chili of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Deer Park Tavern, Harry's Savoy Grill, and Ford's Garage. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Hillbilly Hot Dogs, Pato's, and Black Bear Burritos.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and West Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Traditional, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Proximity to beaches | Mountain views, Large lots |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Ranch architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to beaches, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. West Virginia is less walkable than Delaware.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Delaware.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Delaware.
- West Virginia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in West Virginia is 46.02% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and West Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | 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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Floods, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Delaware to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Delaware.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 3 degrees colder than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and West Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% - 6.6% | 3% - 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Business, Education, Finance | Energy, Manufacturing, Health |
Affluence | Moderately affluent | Less affluent |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 34% less than those in Delaware
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in WV is 3% - 6.5% compared to 2.2% - 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in West Virginia is less affluent compared to moderately affluent in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in West Virginia compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and moderate in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Democratic influence | Republican dominance |
Religion | Christian (varied denominations) | Primarily Christian (Protestant) |
- Delaware tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as conservative-leaning
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian (Protestant)
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (varied denominations)
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to West Virginia
Comparison | Delaware | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Wilmington University Delaware State University | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington Odyssey Charter School Wilmington Newark Charter School Newark | North Elementary School Morgantown Stepping Stones Montessori Lewisburg George Washington Elementary School Eleanor |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Conrad Schools of Science Wilmington Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington H.B. DuPont Middle School Hockessin | Winfield Middle School Winfield Suncrest Middle School Morgantown Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cab Calloway School of the Arts Wilmington Charter School of Wilmington Wilmington Delaware Military Academy Wilmington | Bridgeport High School Bridgeport George Washington High School Charleston John Marshall High School Glen Dale |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School Wilmington The Tatnall School Wilmington Salesianum School Wilmington | Charleston Catholic High School Charleston The Linsly School Wheeling Wheeling Country Day School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sanford School Hockessin Archmere Academy Claymont Wilmington Friends School Wilmington | Notre Dame High School Clarksburg Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg Trinity Christian School Morgantown |
Top 3 School Districts | Brandywine School District Wilmington Area Appoquinimink School District Middletown Area Christina School District Newark Area | Monongalia County Schools Monongalia County Kanawha County Schools Kanawha County Harrison County Schools Harrison County |
How Much Do Delaware to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 395 miles from Delaware to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,426 | 300 ft3 | $4.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,117 | 450 ft3 | $4.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,491 | 750 ft3 | $4.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,065 | 1100 ft3 | $4.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,288 | 1600 ft3 | $4.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,109 | 1800 ft3 | $4.50 |
Top Delaware to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Country Roads Moving LLC
Best moving company overall for Delaware to West Virginia