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West Virginia to North Dakota Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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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

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job market
  • Frequent heavy rainfall
  • High humidity
  • Narrow highways
ProsNorth Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Economic growth
  • Drier climate
  • Lower humidity
  • Wide open spaces

North Dakota iconNorth Dakota
  • Higher cost of living
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Severe winters
  • Flat terrain
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollKnoephla Soup
Most popular meat dishVenisonBison Steak
Most popular street food itemHot DogsBratwurst
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsLentil Dishes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Purple Fiddle
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Hillbilly Hot Dogs
  • HoDo Restaurant
  • Kroll's Diner
  • The Pitchfork Steak Fondue
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 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCottage, RanchSplit Level, Ranch
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 listingMountain Views, Access to NatureEnergy 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 Virginia’s $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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth Dakota
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, LandslidesBlizzards, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 62Β°F82Β°F / 57Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41Β°F / 26Β°F23Β°F / 2Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4517
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3351
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$54,329$71,970
Cost of Living Index9595.3
State Income Tax6.5%2.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.5%1.0%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%5.0%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Manufacturing, AgricultureAgriculture, Energy, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyHighLow
HomelessnessVisibleMinimal
  • 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth Dakota
Political Make-upLean RepublicanStrongly Republican
Local PoliticsCommunity-oriented, with emphasis on blue-collar valuesAgribusiness and energy sector focus
ReligionChristianity predominant; strong Baptist presenceChristianity 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

ComparisonWest VirginiaNorth 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 SchoolsSteptoe Elementary (Charleston)
Suncrest Elementary (Morgantown)
Woodsdale Elementary (Wheeling)
Freedom Elementary (West Fargo)
Lincoln Elementary (Dickinson)
Roosevelt Elementary (Mandan)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBridgeport Middle (Bridgeport)
Suncrest Middle (Morgantown)
Triadelphia Middle (Wheeling)
Ben Franklin Middle (Fargo)
Horizon Middle (Bismarck)
Wachter Middle (Bismarck)
Top 3 High School SchoolsGeorge 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 schoolsCharleston 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 schoolsLinsly 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 DistrictsMonongalia 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 - $7,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,025300 ft3$6.75
1 Bedroom$3,014450 ft3$6.70
2 Bedrooms$4,986750 ft3$6.65
3 Bedrooms$7,2581100 ft3$6.60
4 Bedrooms$10,4771600 ft3$6.55
5+ Bedrooms$11,6971800 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.

TOP PICK
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to North Dakota

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Quality Pack & Load featured image

Quality Pack & Load

9.06/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to North Dakota Routes

Charleston to North Dakota