Montana to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Remote areas
- Limited job market
- Milder winters
- Affordable living
- Close-knit communities
- Growing industries
- Less diverse landscapes
- Fewer outdoor parks
- Limited historical sites
- Different cultural vibe
- 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
Comparison | Montana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bison Steak | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Elk Burger | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | huckleberry pie | Hot Dogs with slaw |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Bowl | Vegetable Pastie |
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 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
Comparison | Montana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Privacy | Historical 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 Montanaβs $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
Comparison | Montana | 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 | Wildfires, Severe Snow | Floods, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 45Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 34Β°F / 17Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 90 | 33 |
- 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
Comparison | Montana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,631 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.4 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 1.0% - 6.9% | 3.0% - 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Agriculture, Tourism | Energy, Chemicals, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Montana | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region | Mostly conservative |
Religion | Christian majority, with Protestant & Catholic leading | Primarily 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
Comparison | Montana | West 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 Schools | Chief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman Cold Springs Elementary - Missoula | Stepping Stones Montessori - Charleston Suncrest Primary - Morgantown North Elementary - Morgantown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sacajawea 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 Schools | Bozeman 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 schools | Missoula 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 schools | Billings 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 Districts | Bozeman 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,280 | 300 ft3 | $7.60 |
1 Bedroom | $3,398 | 450 ft3 | $7.55 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,626 | 750 ft3 | $7.50 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,196 | 1100 ft3 | $7.45 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,841 | 1600 ft3 | $7.40 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,231 | 1800 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.

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