West Virginia to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 310 mile interstate move from West Virginia to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs vast career prospects), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings
- DC housing costs are 285% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in DC is 140.18% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to DC will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
West Virginia to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to DC
- Limited job opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Fewer cultural events
- Lack of public transit
- Vast career prospects
- Urban connectivity
- Rich cultural scene
- Extensive metro system
- Higher expenses
- Busy urban environment
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Limited green spaces
- Lower cost of living
- Quiet rural life
- Close-knit communities
- Abundant nature
Pros of moving from West Virginia to DC
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to vast career prospects
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to DC with urban connectivity
- Swap the fewer cultural events of West Virginia for a rich cultural scene in DC
- Get ready for an extensive metro system in DC
Cons of moving from West Virginia to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in West Virginia to live with higher expenses in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quiet rural life and have to settle with the con of a busy urban environment
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in DC
- Swap abundant nature for limited green spaces
West Virginia vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Country Ham | Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs with Slaw | Food Trucks Variety |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Impossible Burger |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs with Slaw, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Chicken Wings and a variety of Food Trucks 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 Impossible Burger of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Tudor's Biscuit World, The Corner Inn, and Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and DC
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Federal, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Quiet neighborhoods, natural surroundings | Access to public transportation, amenities, historic sites |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference quiet neighborhoods and natural surroundings, DC real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation, amenities, and historic sites.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- DC has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- DC housing costs are 285% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in DC is 140.18% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and DC
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Storms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 88Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 21Β°F | 47Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 22" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to DC. DC gets 24% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- DC has lower 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 storms and floods in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 6 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and DC
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 3%-6.5% | 4%-8.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Chemicals, Timber | Government, Education, Health Services |
Affluence | Low | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 86% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in DC will be 47% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in DC is 4%-8.95% compared to 3%-6.5% in WV
- The affluence in DC is high compared to low in West Virginia
- The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in DC
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. DC
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Significantly Republican | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative Policies | Progressive Policies |
Religion | Primarily Christian | More Diverse Religious Landscape |
- West Virginia tends to lean significantly Republican in its political climate
- D.C., on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- D.C.'s religious environment can be described as having a more diverse religious landscape
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to DC
Comparison | West Virginia | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University Fairmont State University | Georgetown University George Washington University American University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stepping Stones Montessori Charleston; Suncrest Primary School Morgantown; North Elementary Morgantown | Lafayette Elementary School Washington; Mann Elementary School Washington; Janney Elementary School Washington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountaineer Middle School Morgantown; Suncrest Middle School Morgantown; Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport | Deal Middle School Washington; Hardy Middle School Washington; McKinley Middle School Washington |
Top 3 High Schools | George Washington High School Charleston; Morgantown High School Morgantown; Bridgeport High School Bridgeport | Wilson High School Washington; School Without Walls High School Washington; Banneker High School Washington |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School Wheeling; Greenbrier Episcopal School Lewisburg; Wheeling Country Day School Wheeling | Sidwell Friends School Washington; Georgetown Day School Washington; National Cathedral School Washington |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Notre Dame High School Clarksburg; Parkersburg Catholic High School Parkersburg; Bishop Donahue High School McMechen | Sidwell Friends School Washington; Georgetown Day School Washington; Maret School Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Harrison County Schools Kanawha County Schools | No traditional school districts but DC Public Schools operates as a district entity |
How Much Do West Virginia to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 310 miles from West Virginia to DC will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,378 | 300 ft3 | $4.59 |
1 Bedroom | $2,045 | 450 ft3 | $4.54 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,371 | 750 ft3 | $4.49 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,889 | 1100 ft3 | $4.44 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,031 | 1600 ft3 | $4.39 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,819 | 1800 ft3 | $4.34 |
Top West Virginia to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.