West Virginia to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 348 mile interstate move from West Virginia to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Ham and Beans, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern-style BBQ
- North Carolina housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in North Carolina is 73.38% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
West Virginia to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to North Carolina
- Limited job opportunities
- Rural isolation
- Higher poverty rate
- Severe winters
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant urban centers
- Lower poverty rate
- Mild winters
- Higher living costs
- Heavier traffic
- More crowded
- Newer infrastructure
- Low cost of living
- Scenic landscapes
- Quiet and peaceful
- Historical destinations
Pros of moving from West Virginia to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to North Carolina with vibrant urban centers
- Swap the higher poverty rate of West Virginia for a lower poverty rate in North Carolina
- Get ready for mild winters in North Carolina
Cons of moving from West Virginia to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in West Virginia to live with higher living costs in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle with the con of heavier traffic
- Time to bid farewell to quiet and peaceful and get used to being more crowded in North Carolina
- Swap historical destinations for newer infrastructure
West Virginia vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Ham and Beans | Eastern-style BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | BBQ Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cuisine | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Ham and Beans and sumptuous Hot Dogs, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern-style BBQ and BBQ Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cuisine they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Wild Ramp, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, The Pit, and Bida Manda Laotian Bar and Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and North Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, Mountain views | Proximity to the beach, Modern amenities |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and mountain views, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the beach and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- North Carolina housing costs are 104% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in North Carolina is 73.38% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and North Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Snowstorms | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Generally Good, varies in urban areas |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/60 | 90/70 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/21 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 30% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- North Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in North Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 5 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 5 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and North Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 3.0-6.5 | 5.25 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57 | 0.78 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.41 | 6.98 |
Top 3 Industries | Coal, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Finance, Technology, Furniture |
Affluence | Moderate | Increasing |
Poverty | Significant | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 24% more than residents in West Virginia
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25 compared to 3.0 to 6.5 in WV
- The affluence in North Carolina is increasing compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
- The poverty level is noticeable in North Carolina compared to significant poverty in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. North Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Largely Republican | Mixed, with Conservative Rural Areas and Liberal Urban Centers |
Local Politics | Focus on Coal Industry and Labor | Focus on Technology, Education, and Banking |
Religion | Primarily Protestant | Varied, with a strong Protestant Presence |
- West Virginia tends to lean Conservative/Largely Republican in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with Conservative Rural Areas and Liberal Urban Centers
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as varied with a strong Protestant presence
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to North Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stepping Stones Montessori (Charleston) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) North Elementary School (Morgantown) | Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Glenwood Elementary (Chapel Hill) Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) Mountaineer Middle School (Clarksburg) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) | Carnage Middle School (Raleigh) Metrolina Regional Scholars' Academy (Charlotte) Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill) |
Top 3 High Schools | George Washington High School (Charleston) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) Parkersburg Catholic Schools (Parkersburg) Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) | Providence Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) Cary Christian School (Cary) |
Top 3 School Districts | Morgantown Area Schools Bridgeport Area Schools Charleston Area Schools | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Wake County Public School System |
How Much Do West Virginia to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 348 miles from West Virginia to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,400 | 300 ft3 | $4.67 |
1 Bedroom | $2,077 | 450 ft3 | $4.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,424 | 750 ft3 | $4.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,967 | 1100 ft3 | $4.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,145 | 1600 ft3 | $4.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,949 | 1800 ft3 | $4.42 |
Top West Virginia to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to North Carolina