West Virginia to Alaska Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

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
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | King Crab |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Reindeer Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Kelp and Seaweed |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 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 Tudorβs 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 Mooseβs 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Log Cabin, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Privacy | Wildlife, 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 Virginiaβs $161,063.
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- Rent in Alaska is 74.36% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Alaska
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, Storms | Earthquakes, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 61Β°F / 51Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 21Β°F | 28Β°F / 12Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 22 (Varies widely by region) |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 75 (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
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $88,121 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 132.6 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.6% | 1.2% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.3% | 1.8% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Fishing |
Affluence | Modest | Higher |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Lower | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean conservative | Mixed, with both conservative and liberal areas |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on coal and energy policies | Focus on oil, natural resources, and environmental regulations |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant population | Diverse, 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Alaska |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Weimer 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 Schools | Winfield 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 Schools | George 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 schools | Parkersburg 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 schools | Not available | Pacific Northern Academy - Anchorage Lumen Christi High School - Anchorage Birchwood Christian School - Chugiak |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia 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.

Country Roads Moving LLC
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Alaska