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West Virginia to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 2,568 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Salmon), real estate & housing (rural and appalachian vs modern and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Oysters
  • Washington housing costs are 267% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Washington is 97.35% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Washington will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More

West Virginia to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Washington

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Limited job market
  • Remote rural areas
  • Slow internet
  • Few cultural events
  • Low innovation index
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Urban lifestyle
  • High-speed internet
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Tech hub status

Washington iconWashington
  • Higher cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Expensive real estate
  • Rainy weather
  • Fast-paced environment
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Scenic landscapes
  • Friendly communities
  • Lower housing costs
  • Outdoor activities
  • Quiet lifestyle

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Washington

  • Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from remote rural areas and moving to Washington with urban lifestyle
  • Swap the slow internet of West Virginia for high-speed internet in Washington
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Washington

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic landscapes in West Virginia to live with a higher cost of living in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of traffic congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to lower housing costs and get used to expensive real estate in Washington
  • Swap outdoor activities for rainy weather

West Virginia vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollSalmon
Most popular meat dishCountry HamOysters
Most popular street food itemHot DogsFood Truck Tacos
Most popular vegan foodMorel MushroomsVegan Pho
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Purple Fiddle
  • Pies & Pints
  • Camelot
  • Canlis
  • Matt's in the Market
  • Salumi
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Washington residents know they have tasty Oysters and Food Truck Tacos 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 Vegan Pho of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Purple Fiddle, Pies & Pints, and Camelot. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Matt's in the Market, and Salumi.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Washington

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
Typical Architecture StyleRural and AppalachianModern and 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 listingLarge lots, privacyEco-friendly features, proximity to tech hubs
  • The Rural and Appalachian architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and privacy, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly amenities and proximity to tech hubs.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Washington is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Washington housing costs are 267% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49%, compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Washington is 97.35% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
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, LandslidesEarthquakes, Volcanoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6275/55
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41/2647/37
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4538
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3320
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from West Virginia to Washington. Washington gets 7% fewer sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a similar 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 earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 10 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Washington are 11 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Washington

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
Avg. Household Income$54,329$91,306
Cost of Living Index95104.1
State Income Tax6.5%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.59%0.92%
Avg. Sales Tax6.40%9.29%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Logging, ConstructionTechnology, Aerospace, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyHighModerate
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 68% more than in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Washington is 10% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is higher compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to high poverty in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and high in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Washington

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican DominanceDemocratic Dominance
ReligionPrimarily Christian (Local Churches)Mixed, Less Religious Overall
  • West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as mixed and less religious overall
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian (local churches)

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Washington

ComparisonWest VirginiaWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
West Virginia State University
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBridge Elementary (Bridgeport)
North Elementary (Morgantown)
Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown)
Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Samantha Smith Elementary (Sammamish)
Discovery Elementary (Gig Harbor)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinfield Middle (Winfield)
Bridgeport Middle (Bridgeport)
Suncrest Middle (Morgantown)
International School (Bellevue)
Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah)
Environmental & Adventure School (Kirkland)
Top 3 High SchoolsBridgeport High (Bridgeport)
George Washington High (Charleston)
Morgantown High (Morgantown)
International School (Bellevue)
Newport Senior High (Bellevue)
Tesla STEM High School (Redmond)
Top 3 private high schoolsCharleston Catholic High (Charleston)
Wheeling Central Catholic High (Wheeling)
Parkersburg Catholic High (Parkersburg)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Preparatory School (Seattle)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNotre Dame High School (Clarksburg)
Trinity Christian School (Morgantown)
Parkersburg Catholic Schools (Parkersburg)
The Bush School (Seattle)
The Northwest School (Seattle)
Annie Wright Schools (Tacoma)
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Harrison County Schools
Kanawha County Schools
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Issaquah School District

How Much Do West Virginia to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 2,568 miles from West Virginia to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,658300 ft3$8.86
1 Bedroom$3,965450 ft3$8.81
2 Bedrooms$6,571750 ft3$8.76
3 Bedrooms$9,5821100 ft3$8.71
4 Bedrooms$13,8581600 ft3$8.66
5+ Bedrooms$15,5001800 ft3$8.61

Top West Virginia to Washington Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Washington

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
Top West Virginia to Washington Routes

Charleston to Washington