West Virginia to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 405 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rural isolation vs cultural diversity), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Sugar Cream Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs craftsman, ranch), 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 West Virginia Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Sugar Cream Pie & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Indiana housing costs are 47% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Indiana is 35.07% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Indiana movers is Country Roads Moving LLC
West Virginia to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Indiana
- Rural isolation
- Fewer job opportunities
- Poor healthcare access
- Limited public transit
- Frequent flooding
- Cultural diversity
- Robust economy
- Better healthcare facilities
- More transportation options
- Fewer natural disasters
- Less natural beauty
- Higher housing costs
- Less community spirit
- Lacks historical depth
- Fewer local events
- Scenic landscapes
- Lower cost of living
- Close-knit communities
- Rich history
- Local festivals
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Indiana
- Say goodbye to rural isolation and hello to cultural diversity
- Look forward to moving away from fewer job opportunities and moving to Indiana with a robust economy
- Swap the poor healthcare access of West Virginia for better healthcare facilities in Indiana
- Get ready for more transportation options in Indiana
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in West Virginia to live with less natural beauty in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher housing costs
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less community spirit in Indiana
- Swap rich history for a lack of historical depth
West Virginia vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Sugar Cream Pie |
Most popular meat dish | West Virginia Hot Dog | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Pepperoni Roll | Hoosier Corn Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Ramps Dishes | Seitan BBQ Ribs |
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Sugar Cream Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful West Virginia Hot Dog and sumptuous Pepperoni Roll, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Hoosier Corn Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Ramps Dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan BBQ Ribs of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Purple Fiddle, Pies & Pints, and Black Bear Burritos. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and Milktooth.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Indiana
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Privacy | Close to schools, Spacious yards |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and privacy, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to schools and spacious yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Indiana is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Indiana is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Indiana has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Indiana housing costs are 47% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Indiana is 35.07% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Indiana
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Varies, urban areas may experience pollution |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 36Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 22 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Indiana. Indiana gets 13% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Indiana has higher humidity and a similar 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 tornadoes and severe storms in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is the same as in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Indiana
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 3% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Average |
Poverty | Higher | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Contained |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 23% more than in West Virginia
- The COLI in Indiana is 2% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in Indiana is 3.23% compared to 3% in West Virginia
- The affluence in Indiana is average compared to modest in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to higher in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in West Virginia and contained in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Indiana
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Conservative, community-focused | Conservative with varied urban liberalism |
Religion | Primarily Protestant Christian | Primarily Protestant Christian, with a notable Catholic minority |
- West Virginia tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant Christian with a notable Catholic minority
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant Christian
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Indiana
Comparison | West Virginia | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University Fairmont State University | Indiana University Purdue University Ball State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stepping Stones Montessori School - Charleston Suncrest Primary School - Morgantown North Elementary School - Morgantown | Paramount School of Excellence - Indianapolis Cumberland Road Elementary School - Fishers Union Elementary School - Zionsville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winfield Middle School - Winfield Suncrest Middle School - Morgantown Bridgeport Middle School - Bridgeport | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette Brown County Junior High School - Nashville Fall Creek Intermediate School - Fishers |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High School - Charleston Morgantown High School - Morgantown Bridgeport High School - Bridgeport | Carmel High School - Carmel Signature School - Evansville West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette |
Top 3 private high schools | Charleston Catholic High School - Charleston Parkersburg Catholic High School - Parkersburg Wheeling Central Catholic High School - Wheeling | Cathedral High School - Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School - Indianapolis Saint Theodore Guerin High School - Noblesville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Linsly School - Wheeling St. Josephβs Preparatory School - Huntington Notre Dame High School - Clarksburg | Traders Point Christian Academy - Whitestown Heritage Christian School - Indianapolis The International School of Indiana - Indianapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Jefferson County Schools Kanawha County Schools | Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools Hamilton Southeastern Schools |
How Much Do West Virginia to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 405 miles from West Virginia to Indiana 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,432 | 300 ft3 | $4.77 |
1 Bedroom | $2,126 | 450 ft3 | $4.72 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,505 | 750 ft3 | $4.67 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,086 | 1100 ft3 | $4.62 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,318 | 1600 ft3 | $4.57 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,143 | 1800 ft3 | $4.52 |
Top West Virginia to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Country Roads Moving LLC
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Indiana