Rhode Island to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 649 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Stuffies vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cottage vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies and Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & West Virginia Hot Dog
- West Virginia housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in West Virginia is 52% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to West Virginia movers is Country Roads Moving LLC
Rhode Island to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to West Virginia
- High cost of living
- Busy coastal cities
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Limited land space
- Affordable housing
- Quiet rural life
- Smoother commutes
- Scenic mountain views
- Fewer cultural events
- Far from the coast
- Fewer top-ranked schools
- Limited healthcare options
- Cultural diversity
- Proximity to beaches
- Renowned educational institutions
- Comprehensive healthcare
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from busy coastal cities and moving to West Virginia with its quiet rural life
- Swap the heavy traffic congestion of Rhode Island for smoother commutes in West Virginia
- Get ready for scenic mountain views in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in Rhode Island to live with fewer cultural events in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to beaches and have to settle for the con of being far from the coast
- Time to bid farewell to renowned educational institutions and get used to fewer top-ranked schools in West Virginia
- Swap comprehensive healthcare for limited healthcare options
Rhode Island vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | West Virginia Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Doughboys | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Grilled Pizza | Mushroom and Greens Bowl |
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 Rhode Island to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Doughboys, West Virginia residents know they have tasty West Virginia Hot Dogs and Pepperoni Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom and Greens Bowl of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway's, and Mount Hope Farm. 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 Bluegrass Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and West Virginia
Comparison | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cottage | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to beaches, Historic charm | Natural beauty, Spacious land |
- The Colonial and Cottage architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches and historic charm, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like natural beauty and spacious land.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- West Virginia housing costs are 64% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in West Virginia is 52% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and West Virginia
Comparison | Rhode Island | 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 | Flooding, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 45" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33.5" | 62" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- West Virginia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and landslides in West Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in West Virginia, as it receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and West Virginia
Comparison | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 3.75-5.99 | 3.0-6.5 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63 | 0.59 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.0 | 6.0 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Coal, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | High |
Homelessness | Manageable | Pressing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 34% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in WV is 3.0-6.5 compared to 3.75-5.99 in RI
- The affluence in West Virginia is modest compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Rhode Island and pressing in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic | Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal on social issues | Conservative on social issues |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Primarily Protestant |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to West Virginia
Comparison | Rhode Island | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Providence College | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia Wesleyan College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Bristol Hamilton Elementary North Kingstown Nayatt School Barrington | Suncrest Primary School Morgantown North Elementary School Morgantown Jennings Randolph Elementary School Elkins |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School Barrington Wickford Middle School North Kingstown Gallup Hill School Ledyard | Mountaineer Middle School Morgantown Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport Charles Town Middle School Charles Town |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School Providence Barrington High School Barrington East Greenwich High School East Greenwich | George Washington High School Charleston Bridgeport High School Bridgeport Morgantown High School Morgantown |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence St. George's School Middletown Lincoln School Providence | The Linsly School Wheeling Charleston Catholic High School Charleston Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wheeler School Providence Moses Brown School Providence Lincoln School Providence | The Linsly School Wheeling Notre Dame High School Clarksburg Trinity Christian School Morgantown |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School District | Monongalia County Schools Kanawha County Schools Jefferson County Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 649 miles from Rhode Island 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,570 | 300 ft3 | $5.23 |
1 Bedroom | $2,333 | 450 ft3 | $5.18 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,851 | 750 ft3 | $5.13 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,593 | 1100 ft3 | $5.08 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,056 | 1600 ft3 | $5.03 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,973 | 1800 ft3 | $4.98 |
Top Rhode Island to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Country Roads Moving LLC
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to West Virginia