Movers

West Virginia to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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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

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job opportunities
  • Rural isolation
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Lack of public transit
ProsDC iconDC
  • Vast career prospects
  • Urban connectivity
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Extensive metro system

DC iconDC
  • Higher expenses
  • Busy urban environment
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Limited green spaces
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishCountry HamMumbo Sauce Chicken Wings
Most popular street food itemHot Dogs with SlawFood Trucks Variety
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsImpossible Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • The Corner Inn
  • Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
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 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchFederal, Victorian
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 listingQuiet neighborhoods, natural surroundingsAccess 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 Virginia’s $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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
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, LandslidesStorms, Floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 62Β°F88Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 21Β°F47Β°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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
Avg. Household Income$54,329$101,027
Cost of Living Index95140.1
State Income Tax3%-6.5%4%-8.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6%
Top 3 IndustriesCoal, Chemicals, TimberGovernment, Education, Health Services
AffluenceLowHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
Political Make-upSignificantly RepublicanStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative PoliciesProgressive Policies
ReligionPrimarily ChristianMore 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaDC
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 SchoolsStepping 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 SchoolsMountaineer 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 SchoolsGeorge 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsNotre 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 DistrictsMonongalia 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,378300 ft3$4.59
1 Bedroom$2,045450 ft3$4.54
2 Bedrooms$3,371750 ft3$4.49
3 Bedrooms$4,8891100 ft3$4.44
4 Bedrooms$7,0311600 ft3$4.39
5+ Bedrooms$7,8191800 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.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to DC Routes