West Virginia to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 749 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (ranch, cape cod vs prairie, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 83% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in Wisconsin is 25.15% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
West Virginia to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin
- Limited job market
- Hilly terrain
- Isolated areas
- Higher poverty rate
- Fewer educational institutions
- Diverse job opportunities
- Flat landscapes
- Accessible urban centers
- Lower poverty rate
- Renowned universities
- Less historical charm
- Higher living expenses
- More transient population
- Fewer natural landmarks
- Harsh winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Low living costs
- Close-knit communities
- Scenic mountains
- Mild winters
Pros of moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from hilly terrain and moving to Wisconsin with flat landscapes
- Swap the isolated areas of West Virginia for accessible urban centers in Wisconsin
- Get ready for a lower poverty rate in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural heritage in West Virginia to live with less historical charm in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of low living costs and have to settle for the con of higher living expenses
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to a more transient population in Wisconsin
- Swap scenic mountains for fewer natural landmarks
West Virginia vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom-based dishes | Vegetable Pasty |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom-based dishes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Pasty of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like Pepperoni Roll Emporium, Hillbilly Hot Dogs, and Mountaineer Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Cheese Castle, Bratwurst Brothers, and Lakefront Brewery.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Wisconsin
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Cape Cod | Prairie, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural Scenery, Privacy | Lake Frontage, Proximity to Dairy Farms |
- The Ranch and Cape Cod architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference natural scenery and privacy, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake frontage and proximity to dairy farms.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 83% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 25.15% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and Wisconsin
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 82/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/21 | 28/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 48 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 15% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- Wisconsin 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 snowstorms and floods in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 13 fewer inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Wisconsin
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 6.5 | 7.65 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59 | 1.68 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.29 | 5.46 |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Modest | Moderate |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 31% more than in West Virginia
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 1% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65 compared to 6.5 in WV
- The affluence in Wisconsin is moderate compared to modest in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to high in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in West Virginia and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Strong Republican presence in local governance | Mixed political control with a history of strong labor and progressive movements |
Religion | Protestant majority | Diverse, with a significant Catholic population |
- West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a significant Catholic population
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Wisconsin
Comparison | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University Fairmont State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stepping Stone Montessori School (Lewisburg) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) Woodsdale Elementary School (Wheeling) | Shorewood Hills Elementary (Madison) Elm Lawn Elementary (Middleton) Swanson Elementary (Brookfield) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountaineer Middle School (Morgantown) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) Triadelphia Middle School (Wheeling) | Longfellow Middle School (Wauwatosa) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) Lake Shore Middle School (Mequon) |
Top 3 High School Schools | George Washington High School (Charleston) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) | Eau Claire Memorial High School (Eau Claire) Brookfield Central High School (Brookfield) Whitefish Bay High School (Whitefish Bay) |
Top 3 private high schools | Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High School (Milwaukee) Madison Country Day School (Waunakee) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Linsly School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) The Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Ohio County Schools Harrison County Schools | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Waunakee Community School District |
How Much Do West Virginia to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 749 miles from West Virginia to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,627 | 300 ft3 | $5.42 |
1 Bedroom | $2,418 | 450 ft3 | $5.37 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,993 | 750 ft3 | $5.32 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,801 | 1100 ft3 | $5.27 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,358 | 1600 ft3 | $5.22 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,313 | 1800 ft3 | $5.17 |
Top West Virginia to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Wisconsin