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West Virginia to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 683 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like lack of job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (cape cod, craftsman vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 280% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 154.13% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

West Virginia to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Lack of job opportunities
  • Limited cultural events
  • Less public transport
  • Distance to leading universities
  • Rural isolation
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Thriving job market
  • Diverse cultural scene
  • Robust public transit
  • Proximity to top colleges
  • Urban conveniences

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Harsh winters
  • Expensive housing
  • Higher living cost
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Traffic congestion
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Low cost of living
  • Nice small towns
  • Friendly communities
  • Slower life pace

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts

  • Say goodbye to lack of job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
  • Look forward to moving away from limited cultural events and moving to Massachusetts with a diverse cultural scene
  • Swap the less public transport of West Virginia for robust public transit in Massachusetts
  • Get ready for proximity to top colleges in Massachusetts

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in West Virginia to live with harsh winters in Massachusetts
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of expensive housing
  • Time to bid farewell to nice small towns and get used to a higher living cost in Massachusetts
  • Swap friendly communities for a fast-paced lifestyle

West Virginia vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishCountry HamLobster Roll
Most popular street food itemHot Dogs with SauceFried Clams
Most popular vegan foodRamp SoupVegan Chowder
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Pepperoni Roll
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • The Purple Fiddle
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Union Oyster House
  • Neptune Oyster
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs with Sauce, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Ramp Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Chowder of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Pepperoni Roll, Tudor's Biscuit World, and The Purple Fiddle. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, and Neptune Oyster.

When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Massachusetts

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, CraftsmanColonial, 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 listingMountain views, privacyAccess to public transportation, historic features
  • The Cape Cod and Craftsman architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and privacy, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 280% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased 46% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 154.13% more expensive than in West Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Massachusetts

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
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, LandslidesBlizzards, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVaries by urban/rural
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F82Β°F / 62Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 26Β°F37Β°F / 22Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"47"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"51"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 22% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Massachusetts has lower 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 blizzards and hurricanes in Massachusetts.
  • The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 3 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Massachusetts are 4 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Massachusetts

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$54,329$94,488
Cost of Living Index95121.55
State Income Tax3% to 6.5%5%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%1.23%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesCoal, Natural Gas, HealthcareFinance, Education, Healthcare
AffluenceModestProsperous
PovertySignificantLow
HomelessnessManageableNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 74% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Massachusetts is 28% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 3% to 6.5% in WV
  • The affluence in Massachusetts is prosperous compared to modest in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to significant in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in West Virginia and noticeable in Massachusetts

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Massachusetts

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsStrong emphasis on coal miningFocus on education and healthcare
ReligionPrimarily ChristianDiverse religious landscape
  • West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as lean Liberal
  • Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts

ComparisonWest VirginiaMassachusetts
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSunnyside Elementary
Morgantown
North Elementary
Morgantown
Eastwood Elementary
Morgantown
Bowen Elementary
Newton
Vinson-Owen Elementary
Winchester
School Street School
Brookline
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMountaineer Middle
Morgantown
Bridgeport Middle
Bridgeport
Suncrest Middle
Morgantown
Amigos School
Cambridge
Wayland Middle School
Wayland
F.A. Day Middle School
Newton
Top 3 High SchoolsGeorge Washington High
Charleston
Bridgeport High
Bridgeport
Morgantown High
Morgantown
Boston Latin School
Boston
Lexington High School
Lexington
Brookline High School
Brookline
Top 3 private high schoolsLinsly School
Wheeling
Greenbrier Episcopal School
Lewisburg
Mercer Christian Academy
Princeton
Phillips Academy Andover
Andover
Groton School
Groton
Milton Academy
Milton
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWheeling Country Day School
Wheeling
Notre Dame High School
Clarksburg
Trinity Christian School
Morgantown
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Cambridge
The Roxbury Latin School
West Roxbury
Noble and Greenough School
Dedham
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Bridgeport City Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Newton Public Schools
Lexington Public Schools
Brookline Public Schools

How Much Do West Virginia to Massachusetts Movers Cost?

Moving 683 miles from West Virginia to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,590300 ft3$5.30
1 Bedroom$2,362450 ft3$5.25
2 Bedrooms$3,899750 ft3$5.20
3 Bedrooms$5,6641100 ft3$5.15
4 Bedrooms$8,1581600 ft3$5.10
5+ Bedrooms$9,0881800 ft3$5.05

Top West Virginia to Massachusetts Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Massachusetts

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to Massachusetts Routes

Charleston to Massachusetts