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Montana to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,901 mile interstate move from Montana to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Bison Steak vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (craftsman vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison Steak and Elk Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
  • West Virginia housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in West Virginia is 29.11% more affordable than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Montana to West Virginia movers is Country Roads Moving LLC

Montana to West Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to West Virginia

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Harsh winters
  • High cost of living
  • Remote areas
  • Limited job market
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Milder winters
  • Affordable living
  • Close-knit communities
  • Growing industries

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Less diverse landscapes
  • Fewer outdoor parks
  • Limited historical sites
  • Different cultural vibe
Montana iconMontana
  • Scenic beauty
  • Outdoor activities
  • Rich history
  • Friendly people

Pros of moving from Montana 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 affordable living
  • Swap the remote areas of Montana for close-knit communities in West Virginia
  • Get ready for growing industries in West Virginia

Cons of moving from Montana to West Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic beauty in Montana to live with less diverse landscapes in West Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of fewer outdoor parks
  • Time to bid farewell to the rich history and get used to limited historical sites in West Virginia
  • Swap friendly people for a different cultural vibe

Montana vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemBison SteakPepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishElk BurgerCountry Ham
Most popular street food itemhuckleberry pieHot Dogs with slaw
Most popular vegan foodLentil BowlVegetable Pastie
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Buckhorn Bar & Grill
  • Yellowstone Grill
  • Bozeman's Bountiful Table
  • Cam's Ham
  • 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 Montana to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Bison Steak of Montana for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk Burger and sumptuous huckleberry pie, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Hot Dogs with slaw to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Pastie of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like The Buckhorn Bar and Grill, Yellowstone Grill, and Bozeman's Bountiful Table. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Cam's Ham, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and The Greenbrier.

When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and West Virginia

ComparisonMontanaWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsmanColonial
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 listingMountain views, PrivacyHistorical features, Close to nature
  • The Craftsman architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of West Virginia.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and privacy, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historical elements and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. West Virginia is more walkable than Montana.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Montana.
  • West Virginia has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • West Virginia housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in Montana with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in West Virginia is 29.11% more affordable than in Montana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and West Virginia

ComparisonMontanaWest 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 DisastersWildfires, Severe SnowFloods, Landslides
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 45Β°F85Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)34Β°F / 17Β°F41Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1545
Annual Snowfall (Inches)9033
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Montana to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Montana.
  • West Virginia has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and severe snow in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
  • The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 3 degrees warmer than Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 30 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and West Virginia

ComparisonMontanaWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$67,631$54,329
Cost of Living Index99.495
State Income Tax1.0% - 6.9%3.0% - 6.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax0%6%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Agriculture, TourismEnergy, Chemicals, Tourism
AffluenceModerateLower
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 20% less than in Montana
  • The COLI in West Virginia will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in WV is 3.0% to 6.5% compared to 1.0% to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in West Virginia is lower compared to moderate in Montana
  • The poverty level is higher in West Virginia compared to moderate in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in West Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. West Virginia

ComparisonMontanaWest Virginia
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsVaries by regionMostly conservative
ReligionChristian majority, with Protestant & Catholic leadingPrimarily Protestant, with significant Baptist community
  • Montana 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 primarily Protestant, with a significant Baptist community
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with Protestant and Catholic leading

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to West Virginia

ComparisonMontanaWest Virginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsChief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman
Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman
Cold Springs Elementary - Missoula
Stepping Stones Montessori - Charleston
Suncrest Primary - Morgantown
North Elementary - Morgantown
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSacajawea Middle School - Bozeman
Washington Middle School - Missoula
Lewis & Clark Middle School - Billings
Mountaineer Middle School - Morgantown
Suncrest Middle School - Morgantown
John Adams Middle School - Charleston
Top 3 High SchoolsBozeman High School - Bozeman
Hellgate High School - Missoula
Sentinel High School - Missoula
George Washington High School - Charleston
Morgantown High School - Morgantown
Bridgeport High School - Bridgeport
Top 3 private high schoolsMissoula International School
Billings Central Catholic High School
Valley Christian School - Missoula
Charleston Catholic High School
Wheeling Central Catholic High School
Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBillings Christian School - Billings
Petra Academy - Bozeman
Missoula International School - Missoula
Trinity Christian School - Morgantown
Charleston Catholic High School - Charleston
Parkersburg Catholic Schools - Parkersburg
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Monongalia County Schools
Kanawha County School District
Harrison County Schools

How Much Do Montana to West Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 1,901 miles from Montana to West Virginia will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,280300 ft3$7.60
1 Bedroom$3,398450 ft3$7.55
2 Bedrooms$5,626750 ft3$7.50
3 Bedrooms$8,1961100 ft3$7.45
4 Bedrooms$11,8411600 ft3$7.40
5+ Bedrooms$13,2311800 ft3$7.35

Top Montana to West Virginia Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

Best moving company overall for Montana to West Virginia

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
ALSO GREAT
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
Top Montana to West Virginia Routes

Billings to West Virginia