Wisconsin to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 750 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in West Virginia is 20.09% more affordable than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to West Virginia movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to West Virginia
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Flat landscapes
- Higher cost of living
- Milder winters
- Lower property taxes
- Beautiful mountains
- Affordable cost of living
- Limited cheese selection
- Slower job growth
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited large water bodies
- Great cheese
- Thriving job market
- Rich cultural events
- Access to Great Lakes
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to West Virginia with lower property taxes
- Swap the flat landscapes of Wisconsin for beautiful mountains in West Virginia
- Get ready for an affordable cost of living in West Virginia
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great cheese in Wisconsin to live with a limited cheese selection in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a thriving job market and have to settle for the con of slower job growth
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural events and get used to fewer cultural events in West Virginia
- Swap access to the Great Lakes for limited large water bodies
Wisconsin vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-battered Cauliflower | Morel Mushroom Dish |
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 Wisconsin to West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Pepperoni Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Beer-battered Cauliflower they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Morel Mushroom Dish of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Larder, Enoteca Rossini, and The Old Fashioned. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like Patreece's Diner, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and Tudor's Biscuit World.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and West Virginia
Comparison | Wisconsin | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Wooded areas | Mountain views, Private lots |
- The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and wooded areas, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and private lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- West Virginia housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased 37% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in West Virginia is 20.09% more affordable than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and West Virginia
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Winter storms, Tornadoes | Flooding, Landslides |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 7% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- West Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible winter storms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 13 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and West Virginia
Comparison | Wisconsin | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $54,329 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 95 |
State Income Tax | 7.65% | 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.43% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Energy, Chemicals, Biotechnology |
Affluence | Moderate | Lower |
Poverty | Low-medium | High |
Homelessness | Manageable | Challenging |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in West Virginia tend to earn about 23% less than those in Wisconsin
- The COLI in West Virginia will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in WV is 6.5% compared to 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in West Virginia is lower compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is high in West Virginia compared to low-medium in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Wisconsin and challenging in West Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. West Virginia
Comparison | Wisconsin | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state, leans slightly Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas like Milwaukee and Madison | Conservative, even in larger cities |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Catholic population | Predominantly Protestant |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a battleground state and leans slightly Democratic in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to West Virginia
Comparison | Wisconsin | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University Milwaukee | West Virginia University Morgantown Marshall University Huntington West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swanson Elementary School Brookfield Richmond Elementary School Sussex Thoreau Elementary School Madison | Kenna Elementary School Charleston North Elementary School Morgantown Eastwood Elementary School Morgantown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School Wauwatosa Whitefish Bay Middle School Whitefish Bay Lake Shore Middle School Mequon | Winfield Middle School Winfield Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport Suncrest Middle School Morgantown |
Top 3 High School Schools | Eau Claire Memorial High School Eau Claire Brookfield Central High School Brookfield Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay | George Washington High School Charleston Bridgeport High School Bridgeport Fairmont Senior High School Fairmont |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High School Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield | The Linsly School Wheeling Charleston Catholic High School Charleston Wheeling Central Catholic High School Wheeling |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield St. John's Northwestern Military Academy Delafield | The Linsly School Wheeling Charleston Catholic High School Charleston Notre Dame High School Clarksburg |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Brookfield Mequon-Thiensville School District Mequon Whitefish Bay School District Whitefish Bay | Monongalia County Schools Morgantown Kanawha County Schools Charleston Bridgeport Public Schools Bridgeport |
How Much Do Wisconsin to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 750 miles from Wisconsin to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,628 | 300 ft3 | $5.43 |
1 Bedroom | $2,419 | 450 ft3 | $5.38 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,994 | 750 ft3 | $5.33 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,803 | 1100 ft3 | $5.28 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,361 | 1600 ft3 | $5.23 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,316 | 1800 ft3 | $5.18 |
Top Wisconsin to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to West Virginia