West Virginia to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,147 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs strong job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (cape cod, ranch vs rambler, modern farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and West Virginia BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Minnesota is 66.80% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
West Virginia to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Minnesota
- Limited job opportunities
- Healthcare access issues
- High poverty rate
- Dependence on coal industry
- Strong job market
- Better healthcare facilities
- Lower poverty rate
- Diverse economy
- Colder climate
- Higher cost of living
- Fewer historical sites
- Longer winters
- Beautiful landscapes
- Close-knit communities
- Rich cultural heritage
- Outdoor recreational activities
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a strong job market
- Look forward to moving away from healthcare access issues and moving to Minnesota with better healthcare facilities
- Swap the high poverty rate of West Virginia for a lower poverty rate in Minnesota
- Get ready for a diverse economy in Minnesota
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in West Virginia to live with a colder climate in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to a rich cultural heritage and get used to fewer historical sites in Minnesota
- Swap outdoor recreational activities for longer winters
West Virginia vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | West Virginia BBQ | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Pepperoni Rolls | Jucy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Wild Rice |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful West Virginia BBQ and sumptuous Pepperoni Rolls, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Jucy Lucy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Morel Mushrooms they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Rice of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Pies & Pints, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Black Bear Burritos. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Cafe Alma.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Minnesota
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cape Cod, Ranch | Rambler, Modern Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Scenic Views, Ample Parking | Proximity to Lakes, Energy Efficiency |
- The Cape Cod and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Rambler and Modern Farmhouse architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference scenic views and ample parking, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to lakes and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Minnesota is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Minnesota has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Minnesota housing costs are 106% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Minnesota is 66.80% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Minnesota
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Flooding, Landslides | Blizzards, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 24Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 54" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 21% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Minnesota has similar humidity and a lower average UV index compared to West Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible flooding and landslides in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 2 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows in Minnesota are 19 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Minnesota
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 3-6.5% | 5.35-9.85% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.11% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.875% |
Top 3 Industries | Coal Mining, Chemicals, Biotechnology | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Modest | Prosperous |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 52% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in Minnesota is 4% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in MN is 5.35-9.85% compared to 3-6.5% in WV
- The affluence in Minnesota is prosperous compared to modest in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to significant in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Minnesota
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance in State Legislature | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Influence |
Religion | Primarily Christian, Evangelical Protestant | Mixed, with a Significant Lutheran Population |
- West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as mixed with a significant Lutheran population
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian Evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Minnesota
Comparison | West Virginia | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Sunnyside Elementary (Morgantown) Jenkins Elementary (Morgantown) Eastwood Elementary (Morgantown) | Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth) Deephaven Elementary (Wayzata) Excelsior Elementary (Excelsior) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Suncrest Middle (Morgantown) Mountaineer Middle (Clarksburg) Bridge Street Middle (Wheeling) | Wayzata East Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Mounds View Middle School (Arden Hills) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High (Charleston) Morgantown High (Morgantown) Bridgeport High (Bridgeport) | Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) Wayzata High School (Plymouth) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) Wheeling Central Catholic High (Wheeling) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) | Breck School (Golden Valley) The Blake School (Minneapolis) St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Harrison County Schools | Wayzata Public School District Edina Public School District Minnetonka Public School District |
How Much Do West Virginia to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,147 miles from West Virginia to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,853 | 300 ft3 | $6.18 |
1 Bedroom | $2,757 | 450 ft3 | $6.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,557 | 750 ft3 | $6.08 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,628 | 1100 ft3 | $6.03 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,561 | 1600 ft3 | $5.98 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,666 | 1800 ft3 | $5.93 |
Top West Virginia to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Minnesota