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West Virginia to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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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

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job market
  • Few cultural events
  • Rural isolation
  • Harsh winters
  • Lacks public transport
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Urban amenities
  • Milder winters
  • Robust transport system

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Flat terrains
  • Higher expenses
  • Anonymity in cities
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Less storied history
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollCherry Pie
Most popular meat dishVenisonPasties
Most popular street food itemHot DogsConey Island Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodBlack Bean ChiliTempeh Reubens
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
  • Buddy's Pizza
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 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchBungalow, Colonial
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 listingScenic views, PrivacyLake 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 Virginia’s $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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
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, LandslidesSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 65Β°F81Β°F / 61Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 26Β°F32Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4530-38
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3360-90
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
Avg. Household Income$54,329$66,986
Cost of Living Index9591.2
State Income Tax3.0 - 6.5%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.58%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesCoal, Healthcare, ChemicalsAutomotive, Agriculture, Information Tech
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyHigherAverage
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
Political Make-upLean RepublicanSwing State
Local PoliticsConservative, Rural InterestsMixed, Urban-Rural Divide
ReligionEvangelical ProtestantDiverse, 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMichigan
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 SchoolsSteenrod 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 SchoolsWinfield 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 SchoolsGeorge 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 schoolsParkersburg 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 schoolsNotre 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 DistrictsMonongalia 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 6.5-15.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,576300 ft3$5.25
1 Bedroom$2,341450 ft3$5.20
2 Bedrooms$3,864750 ft3$5.15
3 Bedrooms$5,6121100 ft3$5.10
4 Bedrooms$8,0831600 ft3$5.05
5+ Bedrooms$9,0031800 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.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Handle With Care Moving & Delivery  featured image

Handle With Care Moving & Delivery

9.07/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to Michigan Routes

Charleston to Michigan