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Washington to West Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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Planning a 2,572 mile interstate move from Washington to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower living costs), food & health (like Salmon vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs colonial and cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Pho, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Chicken and Dumplings
  • West Virginia housing costs are 73% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in West Virginia is 49.33% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to West Virginia will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Washington to West Virginia movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to West Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to West Virginia

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • High living costs
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Expensive housing market
ProsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Lower living costs
  • Smoother traffic flow
  • Affordable housing options

West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Less job variety
  • Fewer cultural activities
  • Less diverse landscapes
Washington iconWashington
  • Thriving tech industry
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Scenic outdoor spots

Pros of moving from Washington to West Virginia

  • Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to West Virginia with smoother traffic flow
  • Swap the expensive housing market of Washington for affordable housing options in West Virginia

Cons of moving from Washington to West Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the thriving tech industry in Washington to live with less job variety in West Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural activities
  • Time to bid farewell to scenic outdoor spots and get used to less diverse landscapes in West Virginia

Washington vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonWest Virginia
Most iconic local food itemSalmonPepperoni Roll
Most popular meat dishPhoChicken and Dumplings
Most popular street food itemTacosHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegetable Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • Mamnoon
  • Salish Lodge & Spa
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 Washington to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic salmon of Washington for the equally delicious pepperoni roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful pho and sumptuous tacos, West Virginia residents know they have tasty chicken and dumplings and hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the quinoa salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegetable soup of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, Mamnoon, and Salish Lodge & Spa. 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 Shed, Pies & Pints, and The Dutchman.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and West Virginia

ComparisonWashingtonWest Virginia
Typical Architecture StyleModern and CraftsmanColonial and Cape Cod
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 listingEco-friendly features, Open-floor plansMountain Views, Large Lots
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of West Virginia.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and open-floor plans, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. West Virginia is less walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • West Virginia housing costs are 73% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in West Virginia is 49.33% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonWest 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 DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesFlooding, Landslides
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F / 55Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 37Β°F42Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3845
Annual Snowfall (Inches)533
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 8% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • West Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and landslides in West Virginia.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 10 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and West Virginia

ComparisonWashingtonWest Virginia
Avg. Household Income$91,306$54,329
Cost of Living Index104.195
State Income Tax0 - 9.93 - 6.5
Avg. Property Tax1.030.59
Avg. Sales Tax6.5 - 106
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureEnergy, Chemicals, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowHigher
HomelessnessHigherLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 40% less than in Washington
  • The COLI in West Virginia will be 9% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • The state income tax in WV is 3% to 6.5% compared to 0% to 9.9% in WA
  • The affluence in West Virginia is moderate compared to high in Washington
  • The poverty level is higher in West Virginia compared to low in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is higher in Washington and lower in West Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. West Virginia

ComparisonWashingtonWest Virginia
Political Make-upLiberal/DemocraticConservative/Republican
Local Politics<a href="https://kingcounty.gov/en/404.html?item=%2Felected%2Fexecutive%2Fconstantine&user=extranet%5CAnonymous&site=KCGov" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">King County's Leadership</a><a href="http://www.wvlegislature.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">West Virginia Legislature</a>
ReligionLess Religiously AffiliatedHigher Christianity Affiliation
  • Washington tends to lean Liberal/Democratic in its political climate
  • West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative/Republican
  • West Virginia's religious environment can be described as having a higher Christianity affiliation
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less Religiously Affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to West Virginia

ComparisonWashingtonWest Virginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Seattle University
West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBryant Elementary (Seattle)
Cascadia Elementary (Seattle)
Clara Barton Elementary (Redmond)
Sunnyside Elementary (Morgantown)
Ridgedale Elementary (Morgantown)
North Elementary (Morgantown)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Odle Middle School (Bellevue)
Lakeside Middle School (Seattle)
Winfield Middle School (Winfield)
Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown)
Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport)
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
The Linsly School (Wheeling)
George Washington High School (Charleston)
Fairmont Senior High School (Fairmont)
Top 3 private High SchoolsThe Overlake School (Redmond)
Eastside Preparatory School (Kirkland)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
The Linsly School (Wheeling)
Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston)
Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Bear Creek School (Redmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Waldorf School (Seattle)
Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg)
Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg)
St. Joseph Central Catholic High School (Huntington)
Top 3 School DistrictsLake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District
Monongalia County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Kanawha County Schools

How Much Do Washington to West Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 2,572 miles from Washington to West Virginia will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,661300 ft3$8.87
1 Bedroom$3,968450 ft3$8.82
2 Bedrooms$6,577750 ft3$8.77
3 Bedrooms$9,5911100 ft3$8.72
4 Bedrooms$13,8701600 ft3$8.67
5+ Bedrooms$15,5141800 ft3$8.62

Top Washington to West Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to West Virginia

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
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