Maine to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 928 mile interstate move from Maine to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lobster vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster and Lobster Roll, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
- West Virginia housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in West Virginia is 45% more affordable than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Maine to West Virginia movers is Country Roads Moving LLC
Maine to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to West Virginia
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Limited job market
- High taxes
- Milder winters
- Lower cost of living
- Growing job sectors
- Lower taxes
- Less coastal access
- Fewer seafood options
- Less historic ambiance
- Rugged terrain challenges
- Coastal scenery
- Fresh seafood
- Charming historic towns
- Outdoor recreation
Pros of moving from Maine to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to West Virginia with the lower cost of living
- Swap the limited job market of Maine for the growing job sectors in West Virginia
- Get ready for lower taxes in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Maine to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal scenery in Maine to live with less coastal access in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of fresh seafood and have to settle for the con of fewer seafood options
- Time to bid farewell to charming historic towns and get used to the less historic ambiance in West Virginia
- Swap outdoor recreation for rugged terrain challenges
Maine vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Roll | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Italian Sandwich | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Pie | Ramp (wild leek) dishes |
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 Maine to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Lobster of Maine for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster Roll and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Pepperoni Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Pie they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Ramp (wild leek) dishes of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Maine eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat. 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, Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill, and Tudor's Biscuit World.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and West Virginia
Comparison | Maine | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Fireplace | Mountain views, Privacy |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and fireplace, 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 Maine.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Maine.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Maine.
- West Virginia housing costs are 59% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in West Virginia is 45% more affordable than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and West Virginia
Comparison | Maine | 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 | Snowstorms, Nor'easters | Floods, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 70-83 / 50-58 | 80-87 / 60-66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 25-31 / 10-17 | 34-41 / 21-26 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maine to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 24% fewer sunshine days than Maine.
- West Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and nor'easters in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 10 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and West Virginia
Comparison | Maine | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 5-7.15% | 3-6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.3% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing | Energy, Chemicals, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 22% less than in Maine
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 18% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in WV is 3-6.5% compared to 5-7.15% in ME
- The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to moderate in Maine
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and low in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Maine | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive on social issues | Conservative on economic and social policies |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Highly religious, predominantly Christian |
- Maine tends to lean Democratic 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 highly religious and predominantly Christian
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to West Virginia
Comparison | Maine | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bangor Community College Bates College | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth Schools Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Bridge Elementary Suncrest Primary North Elementary |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Cape Elizabeth Middle School Yarmouth Junior High Falmouth Middle School | Mountaineer Middle Suncrest Middle Bridge Middle |
Top 3 High School Schools | Yarmouth High School Falmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High | Bridgeport High Morgantown High University High |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete School Portland; John Bapst Memorial High School Bangor; Cheverus High School Portland | Charleston Catholic High Charleston; Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg; Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | North Yarmouth Academy Yarmouth; Berwick Academy South Berwick; Lincoln Academy Newcastle | Notre Dame High School Clarksburg; Linsly School Wheeling; Charleston Catholic High School Charleston |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth School District Yarmouth School District Cape Elizabeth School District | Monongalia County Schools Harrison County Schools Kanawha County Schools |
How Much Do Maine to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 928 miles from Maine 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,729 | 300 ft3 | $5.76 |
1 Bedroom | $2,570 | 450 ft3 | $5.71 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,246 | 750 ft3 | $5.66 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,173 | 1100 ft3 | $5.61 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,899 | 1600 ft3 | $5.56 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,922 | 1800 ft3 | $5.51 |
Top Maine to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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