West Virginia to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

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
- Limited job opportunities
- Harsh winters
- Lack of entertainment
- Rural isolation
- Growing job market
- Milder winters
- Vibrant arts scene
- Urban lifestyle options
- Fewer mountain views
- More traffic congestion
- Less historical charm
- Higher real estate costs
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Arkansas BBQ, especially pork |
Most popular meat dish | Country Ham | Fried Catfish |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | BBQ Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom-based dishes | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Colonial | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Privacy | Close 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 Virginiaβs $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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable, urban areas poorer |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 21Β°F | 51Β°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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.6% | 9.3% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Healthcare, Retail | Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Conservative |
Local Politics | Varies by region | Varies by region |
Religion | Primarily Christian | Primarily 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Stepping 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 Schools | Mountaineer 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 Schools | George 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 schools | The 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Monongalia 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,648 | 300 ft3 | $5.49 |
1 Bedroom | $2,449 | 450 ft3 | $5.44 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,044 | 750 ft3 | $5.39 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,876 | 1100 ft3 | $5.34 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,467 | 1600 ft3 | $5.29 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,435 | 1800 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.