Idaho Local Expert
Chandi Lyn
“She adores arthropods, which explains why spiders get house tours instead of screams.”
See full bio
Your Idaho to WV Relocation Guide: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Trading the rugged mountain terrain of Idaho for the rolling Appalachian hills of West Virginia is a move that carries more surprises than most people anticipate. On paper, both states sit on the quieter, more rural end of the American spectrum, but the cultural rhythms, climate, and daily routines between the two could not feel more different. Idaho's wide open high desert landscapes and booming Western growth give way to West Virginia's deep forest hollows, coal country heritage, and tight knit small town character. Our Snappy Scout team (Chandi & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before you start loading the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Are You Actually Moving from Idaho to West Virginia?
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-84 E, I-80 E, I-76 E, I-70 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boise, ID → Charleston, WV
~2150 miles
Idaho Falls, ID → Huntington, WV
~2100 miles
Pocatello, ID → Morgantown, WV
~2050 miles
Twin Falls, ID → Parkersburg, WV
~2200 miles
Coeur d'Alene, ID → Wheeling, WV
~2250 miles
How Much Is Moving from Idaho to West Virginia Going to Cost?
Moving 2,150 miles from Idaho to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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.
What Kind of Person Struggles After Moving from Idaho to West Virginia?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to West Virginia. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Tech Bro, or Hipster, 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 Idaho to West Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ID to WV
Gardener
Idaho
6
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Julia Davis roses, Idaho Falls greenbelt strolls, dahlia contests
West Virginia
Gaining
Oglebay gardens, WV Botanic Garden, Capitol Market
Recommended WV cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Idaho
6
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
DIYers
Idaho
7.5
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
D&B Supply aisles, ReStore finds, fixer dreams
West Virginia
Gaining
Tamarack inspiration, Huntington Habitat ReStore treasures
Recommended WV cities/areas for DIYers
Idaho
7.5
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Cowboys
Idaho
8
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Snake River Stampede, county fairs, boot stores everywhere
West Virginia
Gaining
Horseback riding, State Fair rodeos
Recommended WV cities/areas for Cowboys
Berkeley SpringsFairlea
Idaho
8
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Tech Scene
Idaho
6.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Micron HQ, HP campus, scrappy startups over unicorns
West Virginia
Gaining
Morgantown's startups exist, but it's no Silicon Valley
Recommended WV cities/areas for Tech Bros
Morgantown
Idaho
6.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Hipsters
Idaho
8
/10
West Virginia
6
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Freak Alley murals, Treefort sets, thrift scores abound
West Virginia
Gaining
Shepherdstown poetry nights, annual West Virginia Book Festival, Fayetteville gear swaps, Appalachian indie shows
Recommended WV cities/areas for Hipsters
Idaho
8
/10
West Virginia
6
/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 Idaho and living in West Virginia
IdahoWest Virginia
How the Way Locals Eat Differs Between Idaho and West Virginia
Eating Like a Local in Idaho
Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.
Chandi LynIdaho 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 Idaho to West Virginia: How Your Tax World Stacks Up
Idaho
West Virginia
IdahovsWest Virginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
VS
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAda and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
VS
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
What Looks Different About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from Idaho to West Virginia
Idaho
West Virginia
IdahovsWest Virginia
People
PeopleOutdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
VS
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Politics
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
VS
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
VS
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
The Honest Climate Reality: Idaho vs West Virginia
SUMMER
Idaho
High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
WINTER
Idaho
Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).
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 Idaho, 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