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West Virginia to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,897 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs diverse employment sectors), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Huckleberry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Burger
  • Montana housing costs are 183% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Montana is 41.06% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Montana movers is Country Roads Moving LLC

West Virginia to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Montana

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job opportunities
  • High humidity
  • Narrow mountain roads
  • Frequent flooding
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Diverse employment sectors
  • Low humidity
  • Spacious highways
  • Dryer climate

Montana iconMontana
  • Smaller arts scene
  • Shorter growing season
  • More isolation
  • Fewer events
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Rich cultural history
  • Lush landscapes
  • Friendly communities
  • Local festivals

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Montana

  • Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to diverse employment sectors
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Montana with low humidity
  • Swap the narrow mountain roads of West Virginia for spacious highways in Montana
  • Get ready for a drier climate in Montana

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich cultural history in West Virginia to live with a smaller arts scene in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of lush landscapes and have to settle for the con of a shorter growing season
  • Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to more isolation in Montana
  • Swap local festivals for fewer events

West Virginia vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishVenisonBison Burger
Most popular street food itemHot Dogs with chiliElk Sausage
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsLentil Stew
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Pepperoni Grill
  • Parkersburg Brewing Co.
  • Black Bear Burritos
  • The Huckleberry Patch
  • Bozeman Brewing Company
  • Wild Crumb Bakery
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs with chili, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Elk Sausage 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 Lentil Stew of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Pepperoni Grill, Parkersburg Brewing Co., and Black Bear Burritos. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Huckleberry Patch, Bozeman Brewing Company, and Wild Crumb Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Montana

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, Craftsman
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 listingSpacious yards, privacyMountain views, outdoor activities
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and privacy, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor activities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Montana is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Montana has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Montana housing costs are 183% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Montana is 41.06% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
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, LandslidesWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/62Β°F80Β°F/45Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F/26Β°F34Β°F/17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)45"15"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"67"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Montana. Montana gets 24% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a higher 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 wildfires and avalanches in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 30 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Montana

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
Avg. Household Income$54,329$67,631
Cost of Living Index9599.4
State Income Tax3%-6.5%1%-6.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.59%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Tourism, BiometricsConstruction, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceModestMid-range
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 24% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Montana is 5% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in MT is 1%-6.9% compared to 3%-6.5% in WV
  • The affluence in Montana is mid-range compared to modest in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to high in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Montana

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
Political Make-upTraditionally leans conservativeMixed, with conservative leanings
Local PoliticsLocal governance often aligned with state-level conservatismDiverse; some areas lean more liberal, especially around urban centers
ReligionChristianity predominant, particularly Protestant denominationsChristianity predominant, with a mix of Protestant and Catholic
  • West Virginia tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with conservative leanings
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a mix of Protestant and Catholic
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, particularly Protestant denominations

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Montana

ComparisonWest VirginiaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
Fairmont State University
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSunnyside Elementary (Morgantown)
North Elementary (Morgantown)
Weberwood Elementary (Charleston)
Hawthorne Elementary (Bozeman)
Chief Joseph Elementary (Bozeman)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinfield Middle (Winfield)
Suncrest Middle (Morgantown)
Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport)
Sacajawea Middle (Bozeman)
Washington Middle (Missoula)
C.R. Anderson Middle (Helena)
Top 3 High School SchoolsGeorge Washington High (Charleston)
Morgantown High (Morgantown)
Bridgeport High (Bridgeport)
Bozeman High (Bozeman)
Sentinel High (Missoula)
Hellgate High (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsParkersburg Catholic High (Parkersburg)
Wheeling Central Catholic High (Wheeling)
Charleston Catholic High (Charleston)
Loyola Sacred Heart High (Missoula)
Billings Central Catholic High (Billings)
Great Falls Central Catholic High (Great Falls)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNotre Dame High (Clarksburg)
St. Joseph Preparatory School (Huntington)
Parkersburg Catholic Schools (Parkersburg)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Foothills Community Christian School (Great Falls)
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Harrison County Schools
Bozeman Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do West Virginia to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 1,897 miles from West Virginia to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,278300 ft3$7.59
1 Bedroom$3,394450 ft3$7.54
2 Bedrooms$5,620750 ft3$7.49
3 Bedrooms$8,1871100 ft3$7.44
4 Bedrooms$11,8291600 ft3$7.39
5+ Bedrooms$13,2181800 ft3$7.34

Top West Virginia to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Montana

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
ALSO GREAT
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
Top West Virginia to Montana Routes

Charleston to Montana