West Virginia to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,964 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs spanish mission, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 167% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Arizona is 91.55% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
West Virginia to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Arizona
- Limited job opportunities
- Harsh winters
- Remote living
- High humidity
- Thriving job market
- Mild winters
- Urban amenities
- Dry climate
- Desert landscapes
- Hot summers
- Larger population
- Higher cost of living
- Scenic landscapes
- Four distinct seasons
- Close-knit communities
- Lower cost of living
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Arizona
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Arizona with mild winters
- Swap the remote living of West Virginia for urban amenities in Arizona
- Get ready for a dry climate in Arizona
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in West Virginia to live with desert landscapes in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of four distinct seasons and have to settle for the con of hot summers
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a larger population in Arizona
- Swap a lower cost of living for a higher cost of living
West Virginia vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Tudorβs Biscuit | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Cactus Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous Tudorβs Biscuit, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos 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 Cactus Salad of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Tudor's Biscuit World, The Pepperoni Roll Bakery, and Hill's Oilfield Greenery. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like El Guero Canelo, Pizzicletta, and Bacanora.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Arizona
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Spanish Mission, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain Views, Privacy | Swimming Pools, Solar Panels |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Mission and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and privacy, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like swimming pools and solar panels.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Arizona is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Arizona is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Arizona has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Arizona housing costs are 167% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63%, compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Arizona is 91.55% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Arizona
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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, Snowstorms | Wildfires, Heatwaves |
Air Quality | Good | Varies; urban areas can be poor |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 104Β°F / 81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 13" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 0 - 100"+ (High elevations) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Arizona. Arizona gets 74% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 32 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Arizona
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.0 - 6.5% | 2.59 - 4.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.62% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.5% | 8.37% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Tourism, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 37% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in Arizona is 7% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59 - 4.5% compared to 3.0 - 6.5% in WV
- The affluence in Arizona is varied compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to high in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Arizona
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative; Republican stronghold | Purple state, leaning slightly towards conservative |
Local Politics | Higher emphasis on coal industry and labor unions | Diverse focus including immigration, healthcare, and education |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a high percentage of Protestants | Mixed but with a significant Roman Catholic presence |
- West Virginia tends to lean conservative, a Republican stronghold in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as a purple state, leaning slightly towards conservative
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as mixed but with a significant Roman Catholic presence
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with a high percentage of Protestants
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Arizona
Comparison | West Virginia | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University Fairmont State University | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Steenrod Elementary School (Wheeling) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) Holz Elementary School (Charleston) | Manzanita Elementary School (Tucson) Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) Basis Scottsdale Primary (Scottsdale) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | John Adams Middle School (Charleston) Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) Mountaineer Middle School (Clarksburg) | Basis Chandler (Chandler) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Peoria (Peoria) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High School (Charleston) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) | Basis Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Oro Valley (Oro Valley) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) The Linsly School (Wheeling) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) | The Gregory School (Tucson) Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale) Phoenix Country Day School (Paradise Valley) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Kanawha County Schools | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools |
How Much Do West Virginia to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 1,964 miles from West Virginia to Arizona will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3.5-11 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,316 | 300 ft3 | $7.72 |
1 Bedroom | $3,451 | 450 ft3 | $7.67 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,715 | 750 ft3 | $7.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,327 | 1100 ft3 | $7.57 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,032 | 1600 ft3 | $7.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,446 | 1800 ft3 | $7.47 |
Top West Virginia to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Arizona