West Virginia to North Dakota Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,450 mile interstate move from West Virginia to North Dakota? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs North Dakota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs economic growth), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Knoephla Soup), real estate & housing (cottage, ranch vs split level, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Dakota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Knoephla Soup & Bison Steak
- North Dakota housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in North Dakota is 2.16% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to North Dakota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended West Virginia to North Dakota movers is Two Men and a Truck
West Virginia to North Dakota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to North Dakota
- Limited job market
- Frequent heavy rainfall
- High humidity
- Narrow highways
- Economic growth
- Drier climate
- Lower humidity
- Wide open spaces
- Higher cost of living
- Less cultural diversity
- Severe winters
- Flat terrain
- Low cost of living
- Rich Appalachian culture
- Four distinct seasons
- Scenic mountain views
Pros of moving from West Virginia to North Dakota
- Say goodbye to the limited job market and hello to economic growth
- Look forward to moving away from frequent heavy rainfall and moving to North Dakota with a drier climate
- Swap the high humidity of West Virginia for lower humidity in North Dakota
- Get ready for wide open spaces in North Dakota
Cons of moving from West Virginia to North Dakota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in West Virginia to live with the higher cost of living in North Dakota
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich Appalachian culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to four distinct seasons and get used to severe winters in North Dakota
- Swap scenic mountain views for flat terrain
West Virginia vs. North Dakota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Knoephla Soup |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Bratwurst |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | Lentil Dishes |
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 Dakota, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Knoephla Soup of North Dakota. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs, North Dakota residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Bratwurst 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 Dishes of North Dakota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Purple Fiddle, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Hillbilly Hot Dogs. After the boxes are unpacked in North Dakota, don't wait too long before making your way to North Dakota's acclaimed eateries like HoDo Restaurant, Kroll's Diner, and The Pitchfork Steak Fondue.
When comparing lifestyles, North Dakota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Dakota compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Dakota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and North Dakota
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Cottage, Ranch | Split Level, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain Views, Access to Nature | Energy Efficiency, Proximity to Work |
- The Cottage and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Split Level and Ranch architecture typical of North Dakota.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and access to nature, North Dakota real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and proximity to work.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Dakota is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Dakota is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- North Dakota has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- North Dakota housing costs are 57% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $253,395 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Dakota have increased 18% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in North Dakota is 2.16% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and North Dakota
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 62Β°F | 82Β°F / 57Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 26Β°F | 23Β°F / 2Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 51 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to North Dakota. North Dakota gets 34% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- North Dakota has similar 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 blizzards and floods in North Dakota.
- The average summer high temperature in North Dakota is 3 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows in North Dakota are 24 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in North Dakota. North Dakota receives 28 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and North Dakota
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $71,970 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 95.3 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 2.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.5% | 1.0% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 5.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | High | Low |
Homelessness | Visible | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Dakota tend to earn about 32% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in North Dakota is 0% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in ND is 2.9% compared to 6.5% in WV
- The affluence in North Dakota is high compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
- The poverty level is low in North Dakota compared to high poverty in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in West Virginia and minimal in North Dakota
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. North Dakota
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Community-oriented, with emphasis on blue-collar values | Agribusiness and energy sector focus |
Religion | Christianity predominant; strong Baptist presence | Christianity predominant; strong Lutheran presence |
- West Virginia tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- North Dakota, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- North Dakota's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a strong Lutheran presence
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a strong Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to North Dakota
Comparison | West Virginia | North Dakota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | North Dakota State University University of North Dakota Minot State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Steptoe Elementary (Charleston) Suncrest Elementary (Morgantown) Woodsdale Elementary (Wheeling) | Freedom Elementary (West Fargo) Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson) Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport) Suncrest Middle (Morgantown) Triadelphia Middle (Wheeling) | Ben Franklin Middle (Fargo) Horizon Middle (Bismarck) Wachter Middle (Bismarck) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High (Charleston) Morgantown High (Morgantown) Bridgeport High (Bridgeport) | Fargo North High (Fargo) Century High (Bismarck) Grand Forks Central High (Grand Forks) |
Top 3 private high schools | Charleston Catholic High (Charleston) Parkersburg Catholic High (Parkersburg) Wheeling Central Catholic High (Wheeling) | Shanley High (Fargo) St. Mary's Central High (Bismarck) Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Linsly School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High (Clarksburg) Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) | Oak Grove Lutheran School (Fargo) Shiloh Christian School (Bismarck) Grace Christian School (Fargo) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Kanawha County Schools | Fargo Public Schools Bismarck Public Schools West Fargo Schools |
How Much Do West Virginia to North Dakota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,450 miles from West Virginia to North Dakota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,025 | 300 ft3 | $6.75 |
1 Bedroom | $3,014 | 450 ft3 | $6.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,986 | 750 ft3 | $6.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,258 | 1100 ft3 | $6.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,477 | 1600 ft3 | $6.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,697 | 1800 ft3 | $6.50 |
Top West Virginia to North Dakota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to North Dakota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to North Dakota