West Virginia to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 2,214 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs growing tech industry), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (cape cod, colonial vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Idaho), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 180% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Idaho is 61.69% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company
West Virginia to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Idaho
- Limited job opportunities
- Higher poverty rates
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural events
- Low state funding for education
- Growing tech industry
- Lower unemployment
- Milder climate
- Rich outdoor lifestyle
- Higher-rated schools
- Less neighborly interactions
- Less diverse landscapes
- Fewer historical sites
- Higher living costs
- Limited food variety
- Close-knit communities
- Scenic mountain views
- Rich mining history
- Affordable housing
- Traditional local cuisine
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Idaho
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to the growing tech industry
- Look forward to moving away from higher poverty rates and moving to Idaho with lower unemployment
- Swap the harsh winters of West Virginia for a milder climate in Idaho
- Get ready for a rich outdoor lifestyle in Idaho
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close-knit communities in West Virginia to live with less neighborly interactions in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic mountain views and have to settle for the con of less diverse landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to a rich mining history and get used to fewer historical sites in Idaho
- Swap affordable housing for higher living costs
West Virginia vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Country Ham | Trout |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs with Slaw | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom-based dishes | Quinoa salads |
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs with Slaw, Idaho residents know they have tasty Trout and Finger Steaks 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 Quinoa salads of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Purple Fiddle, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Pies & Pints. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, The Sawtooth Club, and Fork.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho, compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Idaho
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, historic charm | Outdoor recreation, modern amenities |
- The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and historic charm, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor recreation and modern amenities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Idaho is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Idaho has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Idaho housing costs are 180% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Idaho is 61.69% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Idaho
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/65 | 85/55 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/26 | 34/15 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Idaho. Idaho gets 25% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Idaho 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is the same as in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Idaho
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.5% | 1.125% - 6.925% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Chemicals, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Modest | Growing |
Poverty | Challenging | Moderate |
Homelessness | Sporadic | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 34% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in Idaho will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in ID is 1.125% to 6.925% compared to 3% to 6.5% in WV
- The affluence in Idaho is growing compared to modest affluence in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to challenging poverty in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is sporadic in West Virginia and noticeable in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Idaho
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Democratic at local level in some areas | Significantly Republican influence |
Religion | Primarily Protestant | Significant LDS presence |
- West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as having a significant LDS presence
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Idaho
Comparison | West Virginia | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University University of Charleston | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Steenrod Elementary School Wheeling; Kenna Elementary School Charleston; Woodsdale Elementary School Wheeling | Longfellow Elementary School Boise; Andrus Elementary School Boise; Ponderosa Elementary School Meridian |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountaineer Middle School Morgantown; Suncrest Middle School Morgantown; Bridgeport Middle School Bridgeport | Heritage Middle School Meridian; North Junior High School Boise; Eagle Middle School Eagle |
Top 3 High Schools | George Washington High School Charleston; Morgantown High School Morgantown; Wheeling Park High School Wheeling | Boise Senior High School Boise; Timberline High School Boise; Renaissance High School Meridian |
Top 3 private high schools | Charleston Catholic High School Charleston; Wheeling Park High School Wheeling; Notre Dame High School Clarksburg | Bishop Kelly High School Boise; The Ambrose School Meridian; Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Teays Valley Christian School Scott Depot; Cross Lanes Christian School Cross Lanes; Morgantown Christian Academy Morgantown | The Riverstone International School Boise; North Idaho Christian School Hayden; The Ambrose School Meridian |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools; Kanawha County Schools; Ohio County Schools | Boise School District; West Ada School District; Blaine County School District |
How Much Do West Virginia to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,214 miles from West Virginia to Idaho will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,458 | 300 ft3 | $8.19 |
1 Bedroom | $3,664 | 450 ft3 | $8.14 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,069 | 750 ft3 | $8.09 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,846 | 1100 ft3 | $8.04 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,788 | 1600 ft3 | $7.99 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,296 | 1800 ft3 | $7.94 |
Top West Virginia to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Idaho