New Jersey to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 464 mile interstate move from New Jersey to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
- West Virginia housing costs are 69% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in West Virginia is 59.25% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to West Virginia movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to West Virginia
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Limited nature access
- Overcrowded areas
- Intense summers
- Lower living expenses
- Less crowded roads
- Abundant outdoor activities
- Spacious environments
- Mild summer climate
- Limited transit options
- Fewer cultural amenities
- Fewer employment options
- Far from major cities
- Quiet evening life
- Reliable public transport
- Diverse cultural scene
- Job market opportunities
- Proximity to NYC
- Vibrant nightlife
Pros of moving from New Jersey to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to West Virginia with less crowded roads
- Swap the limited nature access of New Jersey for abundant outdoor activities in West Virginia
- Get ready for spacious environments in West Virginia
Cons of moving from New Jersey to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from reliable public transport in New Jersey to live with limited transit options in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse cultural scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural amenities
- Time to bid farewell to job market opportunities and get used to fewer employment options in West Virginia
- Swap proximity to NYC for being far from major cities
New Jersey vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Saltwater Taffy | Hot Dogs with Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Paninis | 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 New Jersey to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Saltwater Taffy, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Hot Dogs with Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Paninis they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Morel Mushrooms of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Dough Artisan Pizzeria, The Lobster House, and Highlawn Pavilion. 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, Patricia's, and Black Sheep Burrito and Brews.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and West Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to transportation, Upgraded kitchens | Mountain views, Large lots |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to transportation and upgraded kitchens, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- West Virginia housing costs are 69% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in West Virginia is 59.25% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and West Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | 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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Flooding, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 86Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 51 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 20% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 1 degree warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 4 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and West Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 6.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.49% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, IT | Coal Mining, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Prosperous | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 44% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 27% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in WV is 6.50% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to prosperous in New Jersey
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. West Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by municipality | Often locally conservative |
Religion | Religiously diverse | Primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant population |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant population
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to West Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Moss Hill Elementary School Princeton Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton Millburn Elementary School Millburn | Holz Elementary School Charleston Eastwood Elementary School Morgantown Sunnyside Elementary School Clarksburg |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Millburn Middle School Millburn Grover Cleveland Middle School Caldwell Community Middle School Plainsboro | Winfield Middle School Winfield Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport Mountainview Middle School Morgantown |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School Lincroft Millburn High School Millburn Princeton High School Princeton | George Washington High School Charleston Bridgeport High School Bridgeport Wheeling Park High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville Pingry School Basking Ridge Delbarton School Morristown | The Linsly School Wheeling Charleston Catholic High School Charleston Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School Princeton Moorestown Friends School Moorestown Gill St. Bernard's School Gladstone | Notre Dame High School Clarksburg Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg Trinity Christian School Morgantown |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township School District Millburn Princeton Public Schools Princeton Summit Public Schools Summit | Monongalia County Schools Morgantown Kanawha County Schools Charleston Ohio County Schools Wheeling |
How Much Do New Jersey to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 464 miles from New Jersey to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,466 | 300 ft3 | $4.89 |
1 Bedroom | $2,176 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,589 | 750 ft3 | $4.79 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,209 | 1100 ft3 | $4.74 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,496 | 1600 ft3 | $4.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,343 | 1800 ft3 | $4.64 |
Top New Jersey to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to West Virginia