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Virginia to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 239 mile interstate move from Virginia to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dense populations vs quieter environments), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), 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 Pepperoni Roll & Country Ham Steak
  • West Virginia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in West Virginia is 45.42% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to West Virginia movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to West Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to West Virginia

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Dense populations
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Urban sprawl
  • Busy lifestyle
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Quieter environments
  • Lower housing costs
  • Less traffic
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Slower pace

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Fewer jobs
  • Limited diversity
  • More isolated
  • Smaller towns
  • Fewer restaurants
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Job opportunities
  • Cultural amenities
  • Proximity to D.C.
  • Vibrant cities
  • Diverse cuisine

Pros of moving from Virginia to West Virginia

  • Say goodbye to dense populations and hello to quieter environments
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to West Virginia with lower housing costs
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for less traffic in West Virginia
  • Get ready for scenic landscapes in West Virginia

Cons of moving from Virginia to West Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from job opportunities in Virginia to live with fewer jobs in West Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of cultural amenities and have to settle for the con of limited diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to proximity to D.C. and get used to being more isolated in West Virginia
  • Swap vibrant cities for smaller towns

Virginia vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamPepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishBarbecueCountry Ham Steak
Most popular street food itemFood Trucks: TacosHot Dogs with Chili Sauce
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastBlack Bean Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Leaping Lizard Cafe
  • Mama J's Kitchen
  • Pies & Pints
  • Olive Tree CafΓ©
  • Black Bear Burritos
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 West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Food Trucks: Tacos, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham Steak and Hot Dogs with Chili Sauce to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Leaping Lizard Cafe, and Mama J's Kitchen. 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, Olive Tree CafΓ©, and Black Bear Burritos.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and West Virginia

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, Craftsman
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 listingCommunity amenities, proximity to D.C.Natural beauty, large lots
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of West Virginia.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference community amenities and proximity to D.C., West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like natural beauty and large lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. West Virginia is less walkable than Virginia.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • West Virginia housing costs are 58% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in West Virginia is 45.42% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
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, Nor'eastersFloods, Landslides
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°/65Β°80Β°/60Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°/29Β°41Β°/26Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"51"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10"-20"33"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 27% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • West Virginia has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential floods and landslides in West Virginia.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 5 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and West Virginia

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$85,873$54,329
Cost of Living Index96.695
State Income Tax5.75%6.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax5.65%6.39%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Professional Services, Real EstateMining, Manufacturing, Health Care
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 37% less than those in Virginia
  • The COLI in West Virginia is 2% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in WV is 6.5% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in West Virginia is moderate compared to high in Virginia
  • The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to moderate in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in West Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. West Virginia

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
Political Make-upSwing State, recent lean towards blueStrongly red
Local PoliticsDiverse, urban vs rural divideHomogeneous, predominantly rural
ReligionMixed, with no single dominancePrimarily Christian, with strong Protestant roots
  • Virginia tends to lean swing State, with a recent lean towards blue in its political climate
  • West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as strongly red
  • West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with strong Protestant roots
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with no single dominance

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to West Virginia

ComparisonVirginiaWest Virginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
College of William & Mary
West Virginia University
Marshall University
Fairmont State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Spring Hill Elementary School (McLean)
Stenwood Elementary School (Vienna)
North Elementary School (Morgantown)
Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown)
Steenrod Elementary School (Wheeling)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Kilmer Middle School (Vienna)
Rocky Run Middle School (Chantilly)
Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport)
Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown)
Mountaineer Middle School (Morgantown)
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Morgantown High School (Morgantown)
Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport)
George Washington High School (Charleston)
Top 3 private high schoolsFlint Hill School (Oakton)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
The Linsly School (Wheeling)
Episcopal High School (Charleston)
Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNansemond-Suffolk Academy (Suffolk)
The Covenant School (Charlottesville)
The Madeira School (McLean)
St. Joseph Central Catholic High School (Huntington)
Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling)
Trinity Christian School (Morgantown)
Top 3 School DistrictsFalls Church City Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Monongalia County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Kanawha County Schools

How Much Do Virginia to West Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 239 miles from Virginia to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,338300 ft3$4.46
1 Bedroom$1,984450 ft3$4.41
2 Bedrooms$3,270750 ft3$4.36
3 Bedrooms$4,7411100 ft3$4.31
4 Bedrooms$6,8161600 ft3$4.26
5+ Bedrooms$7,5781800 ft3$4.21

Top Virginia to West Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to West Virginia

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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