West Virginia to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 658 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs bungalow, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Michigan is 45.19% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
West Virginia to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Michigan
- Limited job market
- Few cultural events
- Rural isolation
- Harsh winters
- Lacks public transport
- Diverse job opportunities
- Rich cultural scene
- Urban amenities
- Milder winters
- Robust transport system
- Flat terrains
- Higher expenses
- Anonymity in cities
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Less storied history
- Scenic landscapes
- Low cost of living
- Close-knit communities
- Slower pace of life
- Rich local history
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Michigan
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from few cultural events and moving to Michigan with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the rural isolation of West Virginia for urban amenities in Michigan
- Get ready for milder winters in Michigan
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in West Virginia to live with flat terrains in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher expenses
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to anonymity in cities in Michigan
- Swap slower pace of life for a fast-paced lifestyle
West Virginia vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Coney Island Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Chili | Tempeh Reubens |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Island Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Tempeh Reubens of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Dairy Spot, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Hillbilly Hot Dogs. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, Slows Bar BQ, and Buddy's Pizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Michigan
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Bungalow, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic views, Privacy | Lake access, Proximity to parks |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Bungalow and Colonial architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and privacy, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and proximity to parks.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Michigan housing costs are 49% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Michigan is 45.19% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Michigan
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 81Β°F / 61Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 32Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 30-38 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 60-90 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Michigan. Michigan gets 4% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Michigan 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows in Michigan are 8 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 15 inches less rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Michigan
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.0 - 6.5% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Healthcare, Chemicals | Automotive, Agriculture, Information Tech |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Higher | Average |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 23% more than in West Virginia
- The COLI in Michigan is 4% lower than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 3.0% to 6.5% in WV
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in West Virginia
- The poverty level is average in Michigan compared to higher in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Michigan
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Swing State |
Local Politics | Conservative, Rural Interests | Mixed, Urban-Rural Divide |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Diverse, with Catholic Majority |
- West Virginia tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a Catholic majority
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Michigan
Comparison | West Virginia | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Steenrod Elementary School (Wheeling) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) Woodsdale Elementary School (Wheeling) | Okemos Public Montessori (Okemos) Beverly Elementary School (Beverly Hills) Musson Elementary School (Rochester) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winfield Middle School (Winfield) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) | Eureka Heights Elementary (Taylor) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) Smith Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High School (Charleston) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Northville High School (Northville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg) Wheeling Central Catholic High School (Wheeling) Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) Parkersburg Catholic Schools (Parkersburg) | Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Kanawha County Schools Ohio County Schools | Okemos Public Schools East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools |
How Much Do West Virginia to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 658 miles from West Virginia to Michigan 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: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,576 | 300 ft3 | $5.25 |
1 Bedroom | $2,341 | 450 ft3 | $5.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,864 | 750 ft3 | $5.15 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,612 | 1100 ft3 | $5.10 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,083 | 1600 ft3 | $5.05 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,003 | 1800 ft3 | $5.00 |
Top West Virginia to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Michigan