New York to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 660 mile interstate move from New York to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel with Lox vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (modern, high-rise vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagel with Lox and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Smoked Brisket
- West Virginia housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in West Virginia is 60.02% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New York to West Virginia movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to West Virginia
- High cost of living
- Intense traffic
- Noise pollution
- Limited green space
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Quiet environment
- Abundant nature
- Relaxed pace
- Limited entertainment options
- Fewer job opportunities
- Lack of diversity
- Car dependency
- No major league teams
- Vibrant nightlife
- Diverse job market
- Cultural attractions
- Public transportation
- Major sports teams
Pros of moving from New York to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from intense traffic and moving to West Virginia with less congestion
- Swap the noise pollution of New York for a quiet environment in West Virginia
- Get ready for abundant nature in West Virginia
Cons of moving from New York to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant nightlife in New York to live with limited entertainment options in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of fewer job opportunities
- Time to bid farewell to cultural attractions and get used to the lack of diversity in West Virginia
- Swap public transportation for car dependency
New York vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagel with Lox | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Pastrami on Rye | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Bagels | Grain Bowls |
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 York to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Lox of New York for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye and sumptuous Hot Dogs, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Smoked Brisket and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Bagels they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grain Bowls of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Carbone, and Eleven Madison Park. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Purple Fiddle, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia, compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and West Virginia
Comparison | New York | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, High-Rise | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to subway, Luxury amenities | Nature views, Spacious yards |
- The Modern and High-Rise architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and luxury amenities, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like nature views and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. West Virginia is less walkable than New York.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than New York.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than New York.
- West Virginia housing costs are 65% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in West Virginia is 60.02% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and West Virginia
Comparison | New York | 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, Blizzards | Floods, Landslides |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/62Β°F | 85Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 38Β°F/26Β°F | 41Β°F/21Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 51.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.3 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 10% fewer sunshine days than New York.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, 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 New York.
- The average winter lows in West Virginia are 5 degrees colder than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 1.3 more inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and West Virginia
Comparison | New York | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 4%-10.9% | 3%-6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4%-8.875% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Tech | Coal, Health Services, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 32% less than in New York
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in WV is 3%-6.5% compared to 4%-10.9% in NY
- The affluence in West Virginia is moderate compared to high in New York
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. West Virginia
Comparison | New York | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Diverse local policies | Homogenous local policies |
Religion | Multifaceted, with no single dominant religion | Primarily Christian, with Baptist being the largest denomination |
- New York tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as conservative-leaning
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with Baptist being the largest denomination
- New York's residents' religious practices can generally be categorized as multifaceted, with no single dominant religion
Education Guide When Moving from New York to West Virginia
Comparison | New York | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New York University Columbia University Cornell University | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | PS 77 Lower Lab School - New York PS 334 The Anderson School - New York Success Academy Charter School - New York | North Elementary School - Morgantown Suncrest Primary School - Morgantown Steenrod Elementary School - Wheeling |
Top 3 Middle Schools | IS 187 The Christa McAuliffe School - Brooklyn Yorkville East Middle School - New York Baccalaureate School for Global Education - Queens | Winfield Middle School - Winfield Suncrest Middle School - Morgantown Bridge Street Middle School - Wheeling |
Top 3 High School Schools | Stuyvesant High School - New York Bronx High School of Science - Bronx Staten Island Technical High School - Staten Island | George Washington High School - Charleston Morgantown High School - Morgantown Bridgeport High School - Bridgeport |
Top 3 private high schools | The Chapin School - New York Dalton School - New York Horace Mann School - Bronx | Charleston Catholic High School - Charleston Wheeling Country Day School - Wheeling Parkersburg Catholic High School - Parkersburg |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Collegiate School - New York The Spence School - New York Trinity School - New York | The Linsly School - Wheeling Greenbrier Episcopal School - Lewisburg Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg |
Top 3 School Districts | Great Neck Public Schools Scarsdale Union Free School District Jericho Union Free School District | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Harrison County Schools |
How Much Do New York to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 660 miles from New York to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,577 | 300 ft3 | $5.26 |
1 Bedroom | $2,342 | 450 ft3 | $5.21 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,867 | 750 ft3 | $5.16 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,616 | 1100 ft3 | $5.11 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,089 | 1600 ft3 | $5.06 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,010 | 1800 ft3 | $5.01 |
Top New York to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

JP Urban Moving
Best moving company overall for New York to West Virginia