Movers

West Virginia to Alaska Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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Planning a 3,403 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Alaska? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Alaska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs log cabin, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alaska), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & King Crab
  • Alaska housing costs are 120% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Alaska is 74.36% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Alaska movers is Country Roads Moving LLC

West Virginia vs. Alaska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollSalmon
Most popular meat dishVenisonKing Crab
Most popular street food itemHot DogsReindeer Sausage
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsKelp and Seaweed
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Tudor’s Biscuit World
  • Pies & Pints
  • Black Sheep Burrito & Brews
  • The Moose’s Tooth
  • Tracy's King Crab Shack
  • Glacier Brewhouse
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 West Virginia to Alaska, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Salmon of Alaska. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Alaska residents know they have tasty King Crab and Reindeer Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Morel Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Kelp and Seaweed of Alaska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Tudor’s Biscuit World, Pies & Pints, and Black Sheep Burrito & Brews. After the boxes are unpacked in Alaska, don't wait too long before making your way to Alaska's acclaimed eateries like The Moose’s Tooth, Tracy's King Crab Shack, and Glacier Brewhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Alaska

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchLog Cabin, Modern
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 listingMountain views, PrivacyWildlife, Proximity to nature
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Log Cabin and Modern architecture typical of Alaska.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and privacy, Alaska real estate listings often highlight features like wildlife and proximity to nature.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alaska is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Alaska is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Alaska has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Alaska housing costs are 120% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $354,563 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Not enough data to generate comparison.
  • Rent in Alaska is 74.36% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
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 DisastersFloods, StormsEarthquakes, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F61Β°F / 51Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 21Β°F28Β°F / 12Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4522 (Varies widely by region)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3375 (Varies widely by region)
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from West Virginia to Alaska. Alaska gets 23% fewer sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Alaska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to West Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and storms in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and avalanches in Alaska.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Alaska is 24 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Alaska. Alaska receives 23 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Alaska

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
Avg. Household Income$54,329$88,121
Cost of Living Index95132.6
State Income Tax6.5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.6%1.2%
Avg. Sales Tax6.3%1.8%
Top 3 IndustriesEnergy, Manufacturing, HealthcareOil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing
AffluenceModestHigher
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowerModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alaska tend to earn about 62% more than those in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Alaska is 40% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • Hooray, moving to AK means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Alaska is higher compared to modest affluence in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Alaska compared to high poverty in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is lower in West Virginia and moderate in Alaska

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Alaska

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
Political Make-upLean conservativeMixed, with both conservative and liberal areas
Local PoliticsStrong emphasis on coal and energy policiesFocus on oil, natural resources, and environmental regulations
ReligionPrimarily Christian, with a significant Protestant populationDiverse, including Christian, Native spiritual practices, and other religions
  • West Virginia tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Alaska, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both conservative and liberal areas
  • Alaska's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Christian, Native spiritual practices, and other religions
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant population

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Alaska

ComparisonWest VirginiaAlaska
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Pacific University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWeimer Elementary School - Morgantown
Suncrest Primary School - Morgantown
North Elementary School - Morgantown
Bayshore Elementary - Anchorage
Trailside Elementary - Anchorage
Northern Lights ABC School - Anchorage
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinfield Middle School - Winfield
Bridgeport Middle School - Bridgeport
Suncrest Middle School - Morgantown
Mears Middle School - Anchorage
Gruening Middle School - Eagle River
Romig Middle School - Anchorage
Top 3 High SchoolsGeorge Washington High School - Charleston
Morgantown High School - Morgantown
Wheeling Park High School - Wheeling
South Anchorage High School - Anchorage
West High School - Anchorage
Dimond High School - Anchorage
Top 3 private high schoolsParkersburg Catholic High School - Parkersburg
Charleston Catholic High School - Charleston
Wheeling Central Catholic High School - Wheeling
Grace Christian School - Anchorage
Holy Rosary Academy - Anchorage
Anchorage Christian Schools - Anchorage
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNot availablePacific Northern Academy - Anchorage
Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage
Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Harrison County Schools
Anchorage School District
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Top West Virginia to Alaska Movers

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

TOP PICK
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Alaska

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Abates Moving Services LLC

Abates Moving Services LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
Xclusive Movers featured image

Xclusive Movers

8.51/10
FabulousView details
Top West Virginia to Alaska Routes

Charleston to Alaska