Missouri to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 703 mile interstate move from Missouri to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs milder summer climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style Pizza vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in West Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style Pizza and Kansas City Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & West Virginia Hot Dog
- West Virginia housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in West Virginia is 25.15% more affordable than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to West Virginia movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to West Virginia
- Extreme summer heat
- Severe thunderstorms
- Flat terrain
- Higher sales tax
- Milder summer climate
- Fewer natural disasters
- Mountainous landscapes
- Lower sales tax
- Fewer higher-education options
- Fewer job opportunities
- Rural lifestyle
- Less accessible
- Renowned universities
- Large job market
- Diverse urban culture
- Central location
Pros of moving from Missouri to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to a milder summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from severe thunderstorms and moving to West Virginia with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the flat terrain of Missouri for the mountainous landscapes in West Virginia
- Get ready for lower sales tax in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Missouri to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from renowned universities in Missouri to live with fewer higher education options in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a large job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to a diverse urban culture and get used to a rural lifestyle in West Virginia
- Swap a central location for a less accessible one
Missouri vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style Pizza | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City Barbecue | West Virginia Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich | Vegan "Pepperoni" Roll |
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 Missouri to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style Pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City Barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, West Virginia residents know they have tasty West Virginia Hot Dog and Pepperoni Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan 'Pepperoni' Roll of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Q39, Pappyβs Smokehouse, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Tudor's Biscuit World, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and The Greenbrier.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and West Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, two-car garage | Mountain views, privacy |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and two-car garages, 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 Missouri.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Missouri.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Missouri.
- West Virginia housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in West Virginia is 25.15% more affordable than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and West Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 85/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/21 | 41/26 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, 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 4 degrees colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows in West Virginia are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and West Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 5.4 | 6.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.97 | 0.59 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.25 | 6.50 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail Trade | Mining, Healthcare, Retail Trade |
Affluence | Moderate | Less Affluent |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 16% less than in Missouri
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in WV is 6.5 compared to 5.4 in MO
- The affluence in West Virginia is less affluent compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and moderate in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of urban liberal and rural conservative | Predominantly rural conservative |
Religion | Christian, with a significant Protestant presence | Majority Protestant |
- Missouri tends to lean 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 majority Protestant
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian with a significant Protestant presence
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to West Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri-Columbia Missouri State University University of Missouri-Kansas City | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Chesterfield Day School St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Community School St. Louis | Sunnyside Elementary Morgantown; West Teays Elementary Hurricane; Woodsdale Elementary Wheeling |
Top 3 Middle Schools | John Burroughs School St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Ladue Middle School St. Louis | Mountaineer Middle School Morgantown; Suncrest Middle School Morgantown; Charles Town Middle School Charles Town |
Top 3 High Schools | Clayton High School Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High School St. Louis; Lafayette High School Wildwood | George Washington High School Charleston; Morgantown High School Morgantown; Fairmont Senior High School Fairmont |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; John Burroughs School St. Louis | Charleston Catholic High School Charleston; Wheeling Country Day School Wheeling; Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Thomas Jefferson School St. Louis; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Lutheran High School of Kansas City Kansas City | Trinity Christian School Morgantown; Notre Dame High School Clarksburg; Wheeling Country Day School Wheeling |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Kirkwood School District Ladue School District | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Kanawha County Schools |
How Much Do Missouri to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 703 miles from Missouri to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,601 | 300 ft3 | $5.34 |
1 Bedroom | $2,379 | 450 ft3 | $5.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,928 | 750 ft3 | $5.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,705 | 1100 ft3 | $5.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,219 | 1600 ft3 | $5.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,156 | 1800 ft3 | $5.09 |
Top Missouri to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to West Virginia