West Virginia to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 708 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like mountainous terrain vs flat landscapes), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Fried Green Tomatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial revival, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Alabama), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and West Virginia Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Green Tomatoes & Barbecue Ribs
- Housing costs in Alabama are 40% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Alabama is 47.54% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Alabama will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
West Virginia to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Alabama
- Mountainous terrain
- Cold winters
- Limited job market
- Higher poverty rate
- Sparse urban centers
- Flat landscapes
- Mild winters
- Diverse economic opportunities
- Lower cost of living
- More urbanized areas
- Fewer mountain views
- Hot, humid summers
- More crowded cities
- Less seasonal variation
- Different cultural dynamics
- Scenic landscapes
- Rich cultural history
- Small-town charm
- Four distinct seasons
- Traditional festivals
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Alabama
- Say goodbye to mountainous terrain and hello to flat landscapes
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Alabama with mild winters
- Swap the limited job market of West Virginia for diverse economic opportunities in Alabama
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in Alabama
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in West Virginia to live with fewer mountain views in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich cultural history and have to settle for the con of hot, humid summers
- Time to bid farewell to small-town charm and get used to more crowded cities in Alabama
- Swap four distinct seasons for less seasonal variation
West Virginia vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular meat dish | West Virginia Hot Dog | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Pepperoni Roll | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Morel Dish | Okra Gumbo |
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 Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Fried Green Tomatoes of Alabama. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful West Virginia Hot Dog and sumptuous Pepperoni Roll, Alabama residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Pulled Pork Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Morel Dish they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Gumbo of Alabama. 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 The Purple Fiddle. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, and The Bright Star.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Alabama
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious land, Quiet surroundings | Close to amenities, Modern appliances |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of Alabama.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious land and quiet surroundings, Alabama real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and modern appliances.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Alabama is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Alabama is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Alabama has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Housing costs in Alabama are 40% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Alabama is 47.54% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Alabama
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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, Landslides | Tornadoes, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Varies |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F/60Β°F | 91Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F/26Β°F | 57Β°F/36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 56" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Alabama. Alabama gets 30% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and landslides in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 11 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 11 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Alabama
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.5% | 2% - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59% | 0.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 4% - 11% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Automotive, Aerospace |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | Significant | Considerable |
Homelessness | Minimal | Infrequent |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 10% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in Alabama will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in Alabama is 2% - 5% compared to 3% - 6.5% in West Virginia
- The affluence in Alabama is moderate compared to modest in West Virginia
- The poverty level is considerable in Alabama compared to significant in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in West Virginia and infrequent in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Alabama
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative and moderate views | More uniformly conservative |
Religion | Christian majority, with Baptist and Methodist prevalent | Christian majority, predominantly Baptist |
- West Virginia tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, predominantly Baptist
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with Baptist and Methodist denominations prevalent
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Alabama
Comparison | West Virginia | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | The University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sunnyside Elementary (Morgantown) North Elementary (Morgantown) Culloden Elementary (Culloden) | Rock Quarry Elementary (Tuscaloosa) Mt Laurel Elementary (Birmingham) Vestavia Hills East Elementary (Vestavia Hills) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Suncrest Middle (Morgantown) Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport) Mountaineer Middle (Morgantown) | Liberty Park Middle (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle (Hoover) Simmons Middle (Hoover) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High (Charleston) Morgantown High (Morgantown) Wheeling Park High (Wheeling) | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High (Montgomery) Bob Jones High (Madison) Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Not widely available in West Virginia | Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Kanawha County Schools | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Hoover City Schools |
How Much Do West Virginia to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 708 miles from West Virginia to Alabama will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,604 | 300 ft3 | $5.35 |
1 Bedroom | $2,383 | 450 ft3 | $5.30 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,935 | 750 ft3 | $5.25 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,716 | 1100 ft3 | $5.20 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,234 | 1600 ft3 | $5.15 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,173 | 1800 ft3 | $5.10 |
Top West Virginia to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.