Ohio to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 286 mile interstate move from Ohio to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Ohio vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like frigid winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Buckeye Candy vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs cape cod, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Ohio), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Buckeye Candy and Cincinnati Chili, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham
- West Virginia housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Ohio
- Rent in West Virginia is 30.98% more affordable than in Ohio
- Moving from Ohio to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Ohio to West Virginia movers is Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Ohio to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Ohio to West Virginia
- Frigid winters
- High state taxes
- Heavy traffic
- Urban sprawl
- Milder winters
- Lower state taxes
- Less congestion
- Scenic landscapes
- Fewer city conveniences
- Limited restaurant variety
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited public transit
- Major city amenities
- Diverse dining options
- Robust job market
- Developed public transit
Pros of moving from Ohio to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to frigid winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high state taxes and moving to West Virginia with lower state taxes
- Swap the heavy traffic of Ohio for less congestion in West Virginia
- Get ready for scenic landscapes in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Ohio to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from major city amenities in Ohio to live with fewer city conveniences in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of limited restaurant variety
- Time to bid farewell to a robust job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in West Virginia
- Swap developed public transit for limited public transit
Ohio vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Ohio | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Buckeye Candy | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Cincinnati Chili | Country Ham |
Most popular street food item | Polish Boy | Hot Dog with Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pierogies | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Ohio to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Buckeye Candy of Ohio for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Ohio rave about their flavorful Cincinnati Chili and sumptuous Polish Boy, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham and Hot Dog with Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pierogies they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Ohio eateries like Schmidtβs Sausage Haus, Slyman's Deli, and The Precinct. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Parkersburg Brewing Co., Dirty Bird, and Hill and Holler.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Ohio. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Ohio. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Ohio and West Virginia
Comparison | Ohio | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Cape Cod, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open Floor Plans, Hardwood Floors | Scenic Views, Large Yards |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Ohio is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Colonial architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Ohio's real estate listings that commonly reference open floor plans and hardwood floors, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. West Virginia is less walkable than Ohio.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Ohio.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Ohio.
- West Virginia housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Ohio, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Ohioβs $223,135.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 49% increase in Ohio.
- Rent in West Virginia is 30.98% more affordable than in Ohio.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Ohio and West Virginia
Comparison | Ohio | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Floods, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F/63Β°F | 85Β°F/65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 36Β°F/22Β°F | 41Β°F/26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 28 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Ohio to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Ohio.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Ohio.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Ohio, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Ohio.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer in West Virginia than they are in Ohio.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Ohio.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Ohio and West Virginia
Comparison | Ohio | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,720 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.85 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 2.85% | 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.57% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.17% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail | Energy, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Low |
Poverty | Average | High |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 17% less than in Ohio
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Ohio
- The state income tax in WV is 6.5% compared to 2.85% in OH
- The affluence in West Virginia is low compared to moderate in Ohio
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to average in Ohio
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Ohio and concerning in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Ohio vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Ohio | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State; Mixed | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Moderately varied by region | Consistently conservative |
Religion | Christian (majority), diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, less religious diversity |
- Ohio tends to lean swing state and mixed 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 less religious diversity
- Ohio's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (majority) and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Ohio to West Virginia
Comparison | Ohio | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Ohio State University Columbus University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio University Athens | West Virginia University Morgantown Marshall University Huntington West Virginia State University Institute |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Indian Hill Elementary Cincinnati Granville Elementary Granville Ottawa Hills Elementary Ottawa Hills | Eastwood Elementary Morgantown Weimer Elementary Charleston North Elementary Morgantown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bexley Middle School Bexley Granville Middle School Granville Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High Ottawa Hills | Suncrest Middle School Morgantown Mountaineer Middle School Clarksburg Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport |
Top 3 High School Schools | Walnut Hills High School Cincinnati Bexley High School Bexley Ottawa Hills High School Ottawa Hills | George Washington High School Charleston Bridgeport High School Bridgeport University High School Morgantown |
Top 3 private high schools | Hawken School Gates Mills The Seven Hills School Cincinnati Western Reserve Academy Hudson | Charleston Catholic High School Charleston Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Columbus Academy Gahanna The Seven Hills School Cincinnati Laurel School Shaker Heights | Linsly School Wheeling Notre Dame High School Clarksburg Trinity Christian School Morgantown |
Top 3 School Districts | Indian Hill Exempted Village School District Cincinnati Granville Exempted Village School District Granville Ottawa Hills Local School District Ottawa Hills | Monongalia County Schools Morgantown Jefferson County Schools Charles Town Hancock County Schools New Cumberland |
How Much Do Ohio to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 286 miles from Ohio 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,365 | 300 ft3 | $4.55 |
1 Bedroom | $2,024 | 450 ft3 | $4.50 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,337 | 750 ft3 | $4.45 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,839 | 1100 ft3 | $4.40 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,958 | 1600 ft3 | $4.35 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,738 | 1800 ft3 | $4.30 |
Top Ohio to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Ohio to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Perrysburg Moving and Hauling LLC
Best moving company overall for Ohio to West Virginia