Idaho to West Virginia Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 2,214 mile interstate move from Idaho to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs colonial and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in West Virginia is 38.15% more affordable than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to West Virginia movers is 208 Moving Company

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

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Idaho to West Virginia

Valley Custom Moving

Country Roads Moving LLC
Idaho to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to West Virginia
- Harsh winters
- Fewer job opportunities
- Remote location
- High elevation
- Expensive housing
- Milder climate
- Growing job market
- Central East Coast access
- Lower elevation
- Affordable housing
- Less varied geography
- Denser population
- Limited adventure sports
- Fewer community events
- More processed foods
- Stunning landscapes
- Less crowded
- Outdoor activities
- Strong community
- Quality local produce
Pros of moving from Idaho to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to West Virginia with a growing job market
- Swap the remote location of Idaho for central East Coast access in West Virginia
- Get ready for a lower elevation in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Idaho to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Idaho to live with less varied geography in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of less crowded living and have to settle with the con of a denser population
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to limited adventure sports in West Virginia
- Swap a strong community for fewer community events
Idaho vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
| Comparison | Idaho | West Virginia | 
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Pepperoni Roll | 
| Most popular meat dish | Trout | Venison | 
| Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Hot Dogs (with chili) | 
| Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Morel Mushrooms | 
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state | 
 | 
 | 
| 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 Idaho to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Hot Dogs (with chili) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Idaho eateries like Fork, State & Lemp, and Westside Drive-In. 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 & Pints, Tudor's Biscuit World, and The Blennerhassett.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia, compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and West Virginia
| Comparison | Idaho | West Virginia | 
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | Colonial and Craftsman | 
| Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ | 
| Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | 
| Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | 
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Open Spaces | Historic Charm, Small-Town Feel | 
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and open spaces, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and a small-town feel.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; West Virginia is more walkable than Idaho.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Idaho.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Idaho.
- West Virginia housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in West Virginia is 38.15% more affordable than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and West Virginia
| Comparison | Idaho | 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, Floods | Floods, Landslides | 
| Air Quality | Good | Varies | 
| Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85F/40F | 85F/62F | 
| Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34F/15F | 41F/26F | 
| Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 20" | 45" | 
| Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 33" | 
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 26% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is the same as in Idaho.
- The average winter lows in West Virginia are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 25 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and West Virginia
| Comparison | Idaho | West Virginia | 
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $54,329 | 
| Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 95 | 
| State Income Tax | 1%-6.5% | 3%-6.5% | 
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.55% | 
| Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% | 
| Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Coal, Healthcare, Manufacturing | 
| Affluence | Moderate | Low | 
| Poverty | Moderate | High | 
| Homelessness | Low | High | 
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 25% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in WV is 3%-6.5% compared to 1%-6.5% in ID
- The affluence in West Virginia is low compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and high in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. West Virginia
| Comparison | Idaho | West Virginia | 
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Consistently Republican in statewide and federal elections; broadly conservative. Urban-rural split, with the Boise area relatively more moderate compared to strongly conservative rural regions. | Now one of the most Republican-leaning states in statewide and federal contests; conservative overall. Historic ties to Democratic labor politics have largely shifted toward Republican dominance. | 
| Local Politics | Many local offices are officially nonpartisan but are often held by conservatives outside the Boise metro. Boise tends to be more moderate/progressive. Common local issues include growth, housing, property taxes, public lands, and water. | Local offices are frequently Republican or nonpartisan in practice. Common local issues include jobs and the energy transition, infrastructure, opioids, and broadband access. Smaller municipalities tend to be conservative, with some Democratic pockets remaining. | 
| Religion | Notable Latter-day Saint (LDS) presence, especially in eastern and southern areas. Also includes Evangelical and Mainline Protestants, Roman Catholics, and a growing share of religiously unaffiliated in urban areas like Boise. | Predominantly Evangelical Protestant with strong Baptist and Pentecostal traditions. Fewer religious minorities overall; religiously unaffiliated are present but a smaller share than the national average. | 
- Idaho tends to lean consistently Republican in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as one of the most Republican-leaning states in statewide and federal contests
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Evangelical Protestant with strong Baptist and Pentecostal traditions
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a notable Latter-day Saint (LDS) presence, especially in eastern and southern areas. It also includes Evangelical and Mainline Protestants, Roman Catholics, and a growing share of the religiously unaffiliated in urban areas like Boise
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to West Virginia
| Comparison | Idaho | West Virginia | 
|---|---|---|
| Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | West Virginia University Marshall University Shepherd University | 
| Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary Boise; Highlands Elementary Boise; Adams Elementary Boise | Winfield Elementary Winfield; Anne Bailey Elementary St. Albans; Eastwood Elementary Morgantown | 
| Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School Boise; Riverglen Junior High Boise; Heritage Middle School Meridian | Suncrest Middle School Morgantown; George Washington Middle School Eleanor; Fairview Middle School Fairview | 
| Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School Boise; Timberline High School Boise; Renaissance High School Meridian | George Washington High School Charleston; Morgantown High School Morgantown; Parkersburg High School Parkersburg | 
| Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Kelly High School Boise; The Ambrose School Meridian; Logos School Moscow | The Linsly School Wheeling; Charleston Catholic High School Charleston; Morgantown Christian Academy Morgantown | 
| Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School Meridian; Riverstone International School Boise; Cole Valley Christian Schools Meridian | The Linsly School Wheeling; Charleston Catholic High School Charleston; Faith Christian Academy Martinsburg | 
| Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Blaine County School District | Monongalia County Schools Kanawha County Schools Putnam County Schools | 
How Much Do Idaho to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 2,214 miles from Idaho to West Virginia will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
| HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,458 | 300 ft3 | $8.19 | 
| 1 Bedroom | $3,664 | 450 ft3 | $8.14 | 
| 2 Bedrooms | $6,069 | 750 ft3 | $8.09 | 
| 3 Bedrooms | $8,846 | 1100 ft3 | $8.04 | 
| 4 Bedrooms | $12,788 | 1600 ft3 | $7.99 | 
| 5+ Bedrooms | $14,296 | 1800 ft3 | $7.94 | 
