Movers

North Dakota to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 1,454 mile interstate move from North Dakota to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lefse and Bison Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
  • West Virginia housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in North Dakota
  • Rent in West Virginia is 2.12% more affordable than in North Dakota
  • Moving from North Dakota to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended North Dakota to West Virginia movers is Two Men and a Truck

North Dakota to West Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to West Virginia

ConsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Harsh winters
  • Rural isolation
  • Limited nightlife
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Milder winters
  • Strong community life
  • Vibrant culture scene

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Higher sales tax
  • Mountainous terrain
  • Busier streets
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Low taxes
  • Open landscapes
  • Quiet lifestyle

Pros of moving from North Dakota to West Virginia

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to West Virginia with strong community life
  • Swap the limited nightlife of North Dakota for a vibrant culture scene in West Virginia

Cons of moving from North Dakota to West Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low taxes in North Dakota to live with higher sales tax in West Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of open landscapes and have to settle for the con of mountainous terrain
  • Time to bid farewell to a quiet lifestyle and get used to busier streets in West Virginia

North Dakota vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemLefsePepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishBison SteakCountry Ham
Most popular street food itemWalleye Fish TacosHot Dogs with Slaw
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupSautΓ©ed Morel Mushrooms
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Kroll's Diner
  • HoDo Restaurant
  • Peacock Alley
  • Pies & Pints
  • Hillbilly Hot Dogs
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
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 North Dakota to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Walleye Fish Tacos, 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 Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the SautΓ©ed Morel Mushrooms of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, HoDo Restaurant, and Peacock Alley. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Pies & Pints, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and Tudor's Biscuit World.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and West Virginia

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanColonial, 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, garagesMountain views, privacy
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
  • Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; West Virginia is more walkable than North Dakota.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than North Dakota.
  • West Virginia has less of an urban feel than North Dakota.
  • West Virginia housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to North Dakota’s $253,395.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased 37% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
  • Rent in West Virginia is 2.12% more affordable than in North Dakota.

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

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest 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 DisastersBlizzards, floodsFloods, landslides
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)18Β°F / 0Β°F41Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)17"42"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)46"33"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Dakota to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 18% fewer sunshine days than North Dakota.
  • West Virginia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Dakota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in North Dakota, 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 in North Dakota.
  • The average winter lows are 26 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia as it receives 25 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and West Virginia

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$71,970$54,329
Cost of Living Index95.395
State Income Tax2.9% - 5.9%3% - 6.5%
Avg. Property Tax1.03%0.59%
Avg. Sales Tax5%6%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Agriculture, ManufacturingCoal, Tourism, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateLow
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 25% less than in North Dakota
  • The COLI in West Virginia will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in North Dakota
  • The state income tax in WV is between 3% and 6.5% compared to 2.9% and 5.9% in ND
  • The affluence in West Virginia is low compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in North Dakota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and low in West Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. West Virginia

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest Virginia
Political Make-upLean RepublicanLean Republican
Local PoliticsConservative on most issuesConservative, with a strong union presence
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant Catholic populationChristian majority, predominantly Protestant
  • North Dakota tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • West Virginia's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Protestant
  • North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with a significant Catholic population

Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to West Virginia

ComparisonNorth DakotaWest Virginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota
Minot State University
West Virginia University
Marshall University
Fairmont State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFreedman Elementary - Fargo
Longfellow Elementary - Fargo
Roosevelt Elementary - Bismarck
Eastwood Elementary - Morgantown
Steenrod Elementary - Wheeling
Suncrest Elementary - Morgantown
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBen Franklin Middle School - Fargo
Horizon Middle School - Bismarck
Wachter Middle School - Bismarck
Mountaineer Middle - Morgantown
Suncrest Middle - Morgantown
John Adams Middle - Charleston
Top 3 High School SchoolsCentury High School - Bismarck
Fargo North High School - Fargo
Red River High School - Grand Forks
George Washington High School - Charleston
Morgantown High School - Morgantown
Bridgeport High School - Bridgeport
Top 3 private high schoolsShanley High School - Fargo
Oak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Trinity High School - Dickinson
Charleston Catholic High School - Charleston
Wheeling Central Catholic High School - Wheeling
Parkersburg Catholic High School - Parkersburg
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsOak Grove Lutheran School - Fargo
Shiloh Christian School - Bismarck
Trinity Christian School - Williston
Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg
Wheeling Country Day School - Wheeling
St. Joseph Preparatory School - Huntington
Top 3 School DistrictsFargo Public Schools
Bismarck Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Monongalia County Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Harrison County Schools

How Much Do North Dakota to West Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 1,454 miles from North Dakota to West Virginia will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,027300 ft3$6.76
1 Bedroom$3,018450 ft3$6.71
2 Bedrooms$4,992750 ft3$6.66
3 Bedrooms$7,2671100 ft3$6.61
4 Bedrooms$10,4901600 ft3$6.56
5+ Bedrooms$11,7111800 ft3$6.51

Top North Dakota to West Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for North Dakota to West Virginia

9.30/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
Exceptional
Top North Dakota to West Virginia Routes

Fargo to West Virginia