Indiana to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 407 mile interstate move from Indiana to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like flat landscapes vs scenic mountains), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (midwestern ranch, craftsman vs appalachian log homes, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Indiana), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef Manhattan, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Indiana
- Rent in West Virginia is 25.96% more affordable than in Indiana
- Moving from Indiana to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Indiana to West Virginia movers is Country Roads Moving LLC
Indiana to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to West Virginia
- Flat landscapes
- Harsh winters
- Heavy traffic
- Limited outdoor activities
- High cost of living
- Scenic mountains
- Mild winters
- Less congestion
- Hiking opportunities
- More affordable
- Fewer big cities
- Limited industries
- Fewer professional teams
- Lower wages
- Fewer universities
- Urban amenities
- Diverse job market
- Sports culture
- Higher salaries
- Access to education
Pros of moving from Indiana to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to flat landscapes and hello to scenic mountains
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to West Virginia with mild winters
- Swap the heavy traffic of Indiana for less congestion in West Virginia
- Get ready for hiking opportunities in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Indiana to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from urban amenities in Indiana to live with fewer big cities in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of limited industries
- Time to bid farewell to sports culture and get used to fewer professional teams in West Virginia
- Swap higher salaries for lower wages
Indiana vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Indiana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Beef Manhattan | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Indian Tacos | Hot Dogs with Chili Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Roasted Corn | 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 Indiana to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef Manhattan and sumptuous Indian Tacos, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Hot Dogs with Chili Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Corn 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 Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Literary Peacock. 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, Sulphur Springs Inn, and Hillbilly Hot Dogs.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and West Virginia
Comparison | Indiana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Midwestern Ranch, Craftsman | Appalachian Log homes, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, large yards | Mountain views, privacy |
- The Midwestern Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Appalachian Log homes and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and large yards, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than Indiana.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Indiana.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Indiana.
- West Virginia housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Indianaβs $236,990.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
- Rent in West Virginia is 25.96% more affordable than in Indiana.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and West Virginia
Comparison | Indiana | 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, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 80/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/20 | 41/26 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Indiana to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 12% fewer sunshine days than Indiana.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Indiana.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 5 degrees colder than in Indiana.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and West Virginia
Comparison | Indiana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 3.23% | 3.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Energy, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 19% less than those in Indiana
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
- The state income tax in WV is 3.00% compared to 3.23% in IN
- The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to moderate affluence in Indiana
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate poverty in Indiana
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Indiana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, trends Republican in recent elections | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse; urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas Republican | Mostly Republican, with some Democratic influence in union-heavy areas |
Religion | Diverse; Protestant, Catholic, others | <a href="https://www.wvbc.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Predominantly Protestant</a> |
- Indiana tends to lean swing state and trends Republican in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as <a href="https://www.wvbc.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">predominantly Protestant</a>
- Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Protestant, Catholic, and others
Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to West Virginia
Comparison | Indiana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Signature School Evansville; University High School of Indiana Carmel; Herron High School Indianapolis | George Washington Elementary Charleston; Suncrest Primary School Morgantown; Steenrod Elementary School Wheeling |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School; Brown County Junior High Nashville; Fall Creek Junior High Fishers | Mountaineer Middle School Morgantown; Suncrest Middle School Morgantown; Bridge Street Middle Wheeling |
Top 3 High Schools | Signature School Evansville; Zionsville Community High School; Carmel High School Carmel | George Washington High School Charleston; Morgantown High School Morgantown; Bridgeport High School Bridgeport |
Top 3 private high schools | University High School of Indiana Carmel; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Indianapolis; Culver Academies Culver | Charleston Catholic High School Charleston; Notre Dame High School Clarksburg; Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Traders Point Christian Academy Whitestown; Heritage Christian School Indianapolis; The Orchard School Indianapolis | The Linsly School Wheeling; St. Joseph Preparatory School Huntington; Bishop Donahue Memorial High School McMechen |
Top 3 School Districts | West Lafayette Community School Corporation; Carmel Clay Schools; Zionsville Community Schools | Monongalia County Schools; Ohio County Schools; Jefferson County Schools |
How Much Do Indiana to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 407 miles from Indiana 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,433 | 300 ft3 | $4.78 |
1 Bedroom | $2,127 | 450 ft3 | $4.73 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,508 | 750 ft3 | $4.68 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,090 | 1100 ft3 | $4.63 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,324 | 1600 ft3 | $4.58 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,149 | 1800 ft3 | $4.53 |
Top Indiana to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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