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West Virginia to Arkansas Moving Guide

Updated June 13, 2025

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Planning a 785 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs growing job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Arkansas BBQ, especially pork), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in West Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Arkansas BBQ, especially pork & Fried Catfish
  • Arkansas housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Arkansas is 31.73% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Arkansas will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving

West Virginia to Arkansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Arkansas

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Harsh winters
  • Lack of entertainment
  • Rural isolation
ProsArkansas iconArkansas
  • Growing job market
  • Milder winters
  • Vibrant arts scene
  • Urban lifestyle options

Arkansas iconArkansas
  • Fewer mountain views
  • More traffic congestion
  • Less historical charm
  • Higher real estate costs
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Close-knit communities
  • Rich history
  • Affordable housing

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Arkansas

  • Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a growing job market
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Arkansas with milder winters
  • Swap the lack of entertainment in West Virginia for a vibrant arts scene in Arkansas
  • Get ready for urban lifestyle options in Arkansas

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Arkansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in West Virginia to live with fewer mountain views in Arkansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of more traffic congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to less historical charm in Arkansas
  • Swap affordable housing for higher real estate costs

West Virginia vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollArkansas BBQ, especially pork
Most popular meat dishCountry HamFried Catfish
Most popular street food itemHot DogsBBQ Nachos
Most popular vegan foodMushroom-based dishesBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Sternwheel Riverboat Cafe
  • Demitri's
  • The Market
  • The Pantry
  • McClard's Bar-B-Q
  • Local Lime
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 Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Arkansas BBQ, especially pork of Arkansas. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Fried Catfish and BBQ Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Sternwheel Riverboat Cafe, Demitri's, and The Market. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like The Pantry, McClard's Bar-B-Q, and Local Lime.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Arkansas

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, ColonialRanch, Craftsman
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 listingScenic Views, PrivacyClose to amenities, Spacious layouts
  • The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features such as proximity to amenities and spacious layouts.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arkansas is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arkansas is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Arkansas has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Arkansas housing costs are 26% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Arkansas is 31.73% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
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, landslidesTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGoodVariable, urban areas poorer
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F92Β°F / 72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 21Β°F51Β°F / 32Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"50"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"5"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 32% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and landslides in West Virginia and be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 7 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 5 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Arkansas

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
Avg. Household Income$54,329$55,432
Cost of Living Index9590.5
State Income Tax6.5%5.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%0.63%
Avg. Sales Tax6.6%9.3%
Top 3 IndustriesCoal, Healthcare, RetailRetail, Manufacturing, Healthcare
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 2% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Arkansas is 5% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in AR is 5.9% compared to 6.5% in WV
  • The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to high poverty in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and low in Arkansas

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Arkansas

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Conservative
Local PoliticsVaries by regionVaries by region
ReligionPrimarily ChristianPrimarily Christian
  • West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Conservative
  • Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Christian
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Arkansas

ComparisonWest VirginiaArkansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
University of Central Arkansas
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsStepping Stones Montessori School - Charleston
Woodsdale Elementary School - Wheeling
Suncrest Primary School - Morgantown
Baker Interdistrict Elementary School - Little Rock
Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock
Vandergriff Elementary School - Fayetteville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMountaineer Montessori School - Charleston
Suncrest Middle School - Morgantown
Triadelphia Middle School - Wheeling
Lisa Academy North Middle School - Sherwood
Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
Lingle Middle School - Rogers
Top 3 High SchoolsGeorge Washington High School - Charleston
Morgantown High School - Morgantown
Wheeling Park High School - Wheeling
Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville
Bentonville High School - Bentonville
Little Rock Central High School - Little Rock
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Linsly School - Wheeling
Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg
Wheeling Central Catholic High School - Wheeling
Pulaski Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Linsly School - Wheeling
Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg
Wheeling Central Catholic High School - Wheeling
Pulaski Academy - Little Rock
Shiloh Christian School - Springdale
Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Bentonville School District
Fayetteville School District
Rogers School District

How Much Do West Virginia to Arkansas Movers Cost?

Moving 785 miles from West Virginia to Arkansas 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,648300 ft3$5.49
1 Bedroom$2,449450 ft3$5.44
2 Bedrooms$4,044750 ft3$5.39
3 Bedrooms$5,8761100 ft3$5.34
4 Bedrooms$8,4671600 ft3$5.29
5+ Bedrooms$9,4351800 ft3$5.24

Top West Virginia to Arkansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
B2 Moving featured image

B2 Moving

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Arkansas

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Elite Moving

Elite Moving

8.88/10
Top West Virginia to Arkansas Routes

Charleston to Arkansas