Georgia Local Expert
Sabrina Wells
“She has an eye for design and is quietly judging your throw pillow collection.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From GAMoving from Georgia|To WVMoving to West Virginia|Georgia → West Virginia
Georgia to West Virginia Move: Which State Wins?
Georgia and West Virginia sit closer on the map than most people realize, yet the two states offer surprisingly different ways of life. Swapping Atlanta's sprawl and Southern heat for the Appalachian highlands means trading busy interstates and humid summers for winding mountain roads and cooler temperatures year round. The cost of living shift alone is worth studying carefully before you commit to the move. Our Snappy Scout team (Sabrina & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
GA to West Virginia Distance by the Numbers
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-77 N and I-81 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Georgia to West Virginia
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Atlanta, GA → Charleston, WV
~600 miles
Savannah, GA → Huntington, WV
~700 miles
Augusta, GA → Morgantown, WV
~700 miles
Columbus, GA → Parkersburg, WV
~650 miles
Macon, GA → Wheeling, WV
~750 miles
Should You Move From Georgia to West Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to West Virginia from Georgia is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Do Professional Movers Ask from GA to West Virginia?
Moving 650 miles from Georgia to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,190.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,620.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,260.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,570.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,420.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,190.00 | 450 | $4.87 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,620.00 | 750 | $4.83 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,260.00 | 1,100 | $4.78 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,570.00 | 1,600 | $4.73 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,420.00 | 1,800 | $4.68 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
The Straight Talk: Is West Virginia Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to West Virginia. But if you're more of a Coffee Snob, Retired Snowbird, or Stay at Home Mom, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Georgia to West Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from GA to WV
Homesteading
Georgia
5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Georgia
Giving up
North Georgia land available, but limited wide open acreage
West Virginia
Gaining
Monroe County hollers, WVU Extension workshops, the annual WV Strawberry Festival
Recommended WV cities/areas for Homesteaders
MoorefieldUnionBuckhannon
Georgia
5
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Adventure Activities
Georgia
7.5
/10
West Virginia
9.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Appalachian Trail, Tallulah Gorge, Chattahoochee River whitewater thrills
West Virginia
Gaining
New River Gorge Bridge Day, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, hiking, skiing, camping
Recommended WV cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
FayettevilleSeneca RocksSnowshoe
Georgia
7.5
/10
West Virginia
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Georgia
4
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Some ranches and rodeos exist, but this ain't Texas
West Virginia
Gaining
Horseback riding, State Fair rodeos
Recommended WV cities/areas for Cowboys
Berkeley SpringsFairlea
Georgia
4
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Coffee Culture
Georgia
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Octane Coffee, Foxy Loxy Cafe, Jittery Joe's roasting
West Virginia
Gaining
Lost Dog Coffee, TipTop, Mea Cuppa
Recommended WV cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Georgia
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6
/10
Snowbirds
Georgia
6.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Mild winters, coastal charm, not quite Florida warmth
West Virginia
Gaining
Winters bite, Berkeley Springs spas soothe, but Florida still wins
Recommended WV cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Berkeley Springs
Georgia
6.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Georgia
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Georgia
Giving up
Family suburbs, golf cart paths, excellent school districts
West Virginia
Gaining
Tight knit communities and low cost living
Recommended WV cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Georgia
8.5
/10
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of West Virginia?
For me, West Virginia is so hard to encapsulate with one image or experience, but I'm always reminded of West Virginia as home when driving on I-79, when I can wind through the hillsides and see cows grazing.
– Hannah Wyatt
West Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Georgia and living in West Virginia
GeorgiaWest Virginia
GA to West Virginia: A Food Lover's Guide to Local Food
Eating Like a Local in Georgia
If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertEating Like a Local in West Virginia
Everybody talks about pepperoni rolls when the topic of West Virginia food comes up. But there's so much more to enjoy - from springtime ramps to autumn pawpaw fruit, apple butter festivals, and more! In Helvetia - a Swiss-settled town in Randolph County - you can enjoy Swiss Appalachian cuisine in The Hütte.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertFrom GA to West Virginia: How Your Tax Bill Changes
Georgia
West Virginia
GeorgiavsWest Virginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5.49% on all income
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
VS
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Property Taxes
Property TaxesMetro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
VS
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
From GA to West Virginia: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Look Different
Georgia
West Virginia
GeorgiavsWest Virginia
People
PeopleSouthern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
VS
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Politics
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
VS
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
VS
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
What the Weather Really Feel Like in GA vs West Virginia
SUMMER
Georgia
satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
WINTER
Georgia
negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in West Virginia
Each summer, the color of west Virginia comes alive. There's a haziness to the trees and flowers, and driving down the Interstate, you can see rows of mountain ridges against the horizon. It's a special, natural beauty unlike anything you'll find elsewhere.
Hannah WyattWest Virginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to West Virginia
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Georgia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to West Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from West Virginia local experts.
Moving toBeckley
Pack Your Parking Brake and Prepare for a Slower Pace of Life
Moving toCharleston
Trails, Taps, Gold Dome Views, Flood Checks
Moving toClarksburg