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Missouri to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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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

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Severe thunderstorms
  • Flat terrain
  • Higher sales tax
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Milder summer climate
  • Fewer natural disasters
  • Mountainous landscapes
  • Lower sales tax

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Fewer higher-education options
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Rural lifestyle
  • Less accessible
Missouri iconMissouri
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style PizzaPepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishKansas City BarbecueWest Virginia Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliPepperoni Roll
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichVegan "Pepperoni" Roll
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Q39
  • Pappy’s Smokehouse
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Hillbilly Hot Dogs
  • The Greenbrier
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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, Pappy’s 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

ComparisonMissouriWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, RanchColonial, Cape Cod
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, two-car garageMountain 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 Missouri’s $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

ComparisonMissouriWest Virginia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsFloods, Landslides
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/6785/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2141/26
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4245
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2033
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$64,811$54,329
Cost of Living Index91.895
State Income Tax5.46.5
Avg. Property Tax0.970.59
Avg. Sales Tax8.256.50
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, Retail TradeMining, Healthcare, Retail Trade
AffluenceModerateLess Affluent
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonMissouriWest Virginia
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsMix of urban liberal and rural conservativePredominantly rural conservative
ReligionChristian, with a significant Protestant presenceMajority 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

ComparisonMissouriWest 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 SchoolsChesterfield 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 SchoolsJohn 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 SchoolsClayton 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 schoolsThomas 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 schoolsThomas 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 DistrictsClayton 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,601300 ft3$5.34
1 Bedroom$2,379450 ft3$5.29
2 Bedrooms$3,928750 ft3$5.24
3 Bedrooms$5,7051100 ft3$5.19
4 Bedrooms$8,2191600 ft3$5.14
5+ Bedrooms$9,1561800 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.

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to West Virginia

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Tiger Moving LLC featured image

Tiger Moving LLC

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Action Moving featured image

Action Moving

9.31/10
ExceptionalView details

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