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Virginia to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 5, 2025

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Planning a 2,059 mile interstate move from Virginia to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Huckleberries), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs mountain modern, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberries & Bison steak
  • Montana housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Montana is 23% more affordable than Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Montana movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Montana

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Heavy traffic
  • Higher cost of living
  • Humid summers
  • Urban sprawl
  • Densely populated
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable housing
  • Cooler summers
  • Open spaces
  • Low population density

Montana iconMontana
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Remote location
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Limited amenities
  • Fewer job opportunities
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Proximity to D.C.
  • Diverse culture
  • Modern amenities
  • Varied job market

Pros of moving from Virginia to Montana

  • Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from the higher cost of living and moving to Montana with affordable housing
  • Swap the humid summers of Virginia for cooler summers in Montana
  • Get ready for open spaces in Montana

Cons of moving from Virginia to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to D.C. and have to settle for the con of a remote location
  • Time to bid farewell to the diverse culture and get used to less cultural diversity in Montana
  • Swap modern amenities for limited amenities

Virginia vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamHuckleberries
Most popular meat dishBarbecueBison steak
Most popular street food itemHot DogsElk Tacos
Most popular vegan foodPeanut SoupLentil Chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Buck's T-4 Lodge
  • Ciao Mambo
  • 2nd Street Bistro
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Huckleberries of Montana. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison steak and Elk Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Peanut Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Chili of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint, The Savory Grain, and Mama J's Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Buck's T-4 Lodge, Ciao Mambo, and 2nd Street Bistro.

When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Montana

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianMountain Modern, Ranch
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to Washington D.C., historic landmarksAccess to nature, scenic views
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Modern and Ranch architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Washington D.C. and historic landmarks, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like access to nature and scenic views.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Virginia.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Montana housing costs are 18% more expensive than they are in Virginia with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Montana is 23% more affordable than Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Montana

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, FloodingWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86Β°F / 66Β°F82Β°F / 49Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 27Β°F30Β°F / 10Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)14"90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Montana. Montana gets 8% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in Virginia, and be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 4 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Montana are 17 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Montana

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Avg. Household Income$85,873$67,631
Cost of Living Index96.699.4
State Income Tax5.75%6.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.8%0.84%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%0%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Agriculture, GovernmentAgriculture, Tourism, Mining
AffluenceModerateLower
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowVery Low
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 21% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Montana will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in MT is 6.9% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Montana is lower compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and very low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Montana

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Political Make-upModerately liberal, tends to lean Democratic in federal electionsConservative, generally votes Republican in federal elections
Local PoliticsMix of conservative and liberal, depending on the regionLocal politics can vary, but generally maintain a conservative lean
ReligionChristianity predominates, with a diverse mix of other faithsLargely Christian, with a significant presence of Evangelical Protestants
  • Virginia tends to lean moderately liberal and tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and generally votes Republican in federal elections
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as largely Christian with a significant presence of Evangelical Protestants
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates with a diverse mix of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Montana

ComparisonVirginiaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
Montana State University
University of Montana
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School
Arlington; Stenwood Elementary School
Vienna; Nottingham Elementary School
Arlington
Hawthorne Elementary School
Bozeman; Chief Joseph Elementary School
Great Falls; Cold Springs Elementary School
Missoula
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School
Falls Church; Henley Middle School
Crozet; Rocky Run Middle School
Chantilly
Sacajawea Middle School
Bozeman; Washington Middle School
Missoula; East Middle School
Great Falls
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; Maggie Walker Governor's School
Richmond; McLean High School
McLean
Bozeman High School
Bozeman; Hellgate High School
Missoula; Sentinel High School
Missoula
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Madeira School
McLean; Potomac School
McLean; St. Christopher's School
Richmond
Billings Central Catholic High School
Billings; Missoula Loyola Sacred Heart High School
Missoula; Great Falls Central Catholic High School
Great Falls
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School
Oakton; Norfolk Academy
Norfolk; Collegiate School
Richmond
Petra Academy
Bozeman; Stillwater Christian School
Kalispell; Missoula International School
Missoula
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Bozeman Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools

How Much Do Virginia to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,059 miles from Virginia to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,370300 ft3$7.90
1 Bedroom$3,532450 ft3$7.85
2 Bedrooms$5,849750 ft3$7.80
3 Bedrooms$8,5241100 ft3$7.75
4 Bedrooms$12,3191600 ft3$7.70
5+ Bedrooms$13,7691800 ft3$7.65

Top Virginia to Montana Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Montana

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
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