Minnesota to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,146 mile interstate move from Minnesota to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Hotdish vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (prairie style, cape cod vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in West Virginia is 40.05% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Minnesota to West Virginia movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Ramp-based 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 Minnesota to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Pepperoni Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Ramp-based dishes of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Smack Shack. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Camaraderie Grill, Leonoro's, and Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia, compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and West Virginia
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie Style, Cape Cod | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside views, Modern kitchens | Mountain views, Large yards |
- The Prairie Style and Cape Cod architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and modern kitchens, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- West Virginia housing costs are 51% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased 37% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in West Virginia is 40.05% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and West Virginia
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 198 days | 164 days |
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 | Blizzards & Floods | Floods & Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30.2" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Minnesota to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Minnesota.
- West Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows in West Virginia are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 14.8 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and West Virginia
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 5.35 - 9.85 | 3 - 6.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.02 | 0.59 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46 | 6.50 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education | Energy, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 34% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in West Virginia is 4% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in WV is 3% to 6.5% compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in West Virginia is low compared to moderate affluence in Minnesota
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Minnesota and low in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Tends Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers; mixed rural areas | Conservative across most areas |
Religion | Mainly Protestant; significant Catholic presence | Predominantly Protestant |
- Minnesota tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Protestant with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to West Virginia
Comparison | Minnesota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower (Stillwater) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) | Stepping Stones Montessori (Charleston) Suncrest Primary (Morgantown) North Elementary (Morgantown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle (Stillwater) | Mountaineer Middle (Clarksburg) Suncrest Middle (Morgantown) Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Minnetonka Senior High (Minnetonka) Eden Prairie High (Eden Prairie) Edina Senior High (Edina) | George Washington High (Charleston) Bridgeport High (Bridgeport) Morgantown High (Morgantown) |
Top 3 private high schools | Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Minneapolis) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul) The International School of Minnesota (Eden Prairie) Breck School (Minneapolis) | Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) Parkersburg Christian School (Parkersburg) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Wayzata Public Schools Minnetonka Public School District Edina Public School District | Monongalia County Schools Bridgeport Public Schools Morgantown Public Schools |
How Much Do Minnesota to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 1,146 miles from Minnesota to West Virginia will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,852 | 300 ft3 | $6.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,756 | 450 ft3 | $6.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,555 | 750 ft3 | $6.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,626 | 1100 ft3 | $6.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,558 | 1600 ft3 | $5.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,663 | 1800 ft3 | $5.92 |
Top Minnesota to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to West Virginia