North Dakota to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- Limited nightlife
- Milder winters
- Strong community life
- Vibrant culture scene
- Higher sales tax
- Mountainous terrain
- Busier streets
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steak | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Walleye Fish Tacos | Hot Dogs with Slaw |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | SautΓ©ed Morel Mushrooms |
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 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
Comparison | North Dakota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garages | Mountain 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 Dakotaβs $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
Comparison | North Dakota | 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 | Blizzards, floods | Floods, landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 18Β°F / 0Β°F | 41Β°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
Comparison | North Dakota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 2.9% - 5.9% | 3% - 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.03% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Coal, Tourism, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | North Dakota | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative on most issues | Conservative, with a strong union presence |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant Catholic population | Christian 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
Comparison | North Dakota | West 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 Schools | Freedman Elementary - Fargo Longfellow Elementary - Fargo Roosevelt Elementary - Bismarck | Eastwood Elementary - Morgantown Steenrod Elementary - Wheeling Suncrest Elementary - Morgantown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben 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 Schools | Century 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 schools | Shanley 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 schools | Oak 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 Districts | Fargo 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,027 | 300 ft3 | $6.76 |
1 Bedroom | $3,018 | 450 ft3 | $6.71 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,992 | 750 ft3 | $6.66 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,267 | 1100 ft3 | $6.61 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,490 | 1600 ft3 | $6.56 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,711 | 1800 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.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to West Virginia

Country Roads Moving LLC
