Maine Local Expert
Greg Reid
“He gets hiccups if you touch his chin just right, and is convinced it’ll win a talent contest some day.”
See full bio
Maine to West Virginia Move: Is It Worth the Cost?
New England charm and mountain Appalachian character might seem like an unlikely pairing, but the two have more in common than most people expect. Still, trading Maine's rocky coastline and crisp sea air for West Virginia's rolling ridges and river valleys brings real changes to your daily routine, your budget, and the pace of life you get used to. Our Snappy Scout team (Greg & Hannah) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts worth knowing before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Moving Truck Drive from ME to WV: What to Plan For
Average distance
950miles
Typical route
I-95 S, I-695 S, I-70 W, I-68 W, I-79 S
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Portland, ME → Charleston, WV
~950 miles
Bangor, ME → Huntington, WV
~1050 miles
Augusta, ME → Morgantown, WV
~950 miles
Lewiston, ME → Parkersburg, WV
~1000 miles
Biddeford, ME → Wheeling, WV
~900 miles
Should You Move From Maine to West Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to West Virginia from Maine 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.
What Does It Truly Cost to Relocate from ME to WV?
Moving 950 miles from Maine 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,330.00
1 Bedroom
$1,970.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,250.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,710.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,770.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,520.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,330.00 | 300 | $4.43 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,970.00 | 450 | $4.38 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,250.00 | 750 | $4.33 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,710.00 | 1,100 | $4.28 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,770.00 | 1,600 | $4.23 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,520.00 | 1,800 | $4.18 |
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.
Who Should Avoid the Move from ME to WV?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, College Student, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to West Virginia. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Minimalist, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Maine to West Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from ME to WV
Cowboys
Maine
2.5
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Fryeburg Fair livestock thrills, few open ranges or rodeos.
West Virginia
Gaining
Horseback riding, State Fair rodeos
Recommended WV cities/areas for Cowboys
Berkeley SpringsFairlea
Maine
2.5
/10
West Virginia
5
/10
University Life
Maine
8
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
Maine
Giving up
UMaine hockey, Bowdoin quads, Colby museum free, UNE health sciences campus
West Virginia
Gaining
WVU gamedays and a growing local arts/music scene in Morgantown, Coopers Rock escapes, PRT rides, regular art walks and festivals for Marshall University campus-goers to attend
Recommended WV cities/areas for College Students
Maine
8
/10
West Virginia
9
/10
DIYers
Maine
8
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Mill loft rehabs, Marden's hauls, fixer-uppers with good bones everywhere.
West Virginia
Gaining
Tamarack inspiration, Huntington Habitat ReStore treasures
Recommended WV cities/areas for DIYers
Maine
8
/10
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Snowbirds
Maine
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Maine
Giving up
Blissful summers, then head south after Fryeburg Fair.
West Virginia
Gaining
Winters bite, Berkeley Springs spas soothe, but Florida still wins
Recommended WV cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Berkeley Springs
Maine
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4
/10
Minimalism
Maine
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4.5
/10
Maine
Giving up
Small spaces, clean lines, Casco Bay horizon clears clutter.
West Virginia
Gaining
Charleston's Capitol Street and Morgantown's college campus walkability help, but statewide car culture complicates it
Recommended WV cities/areas for Minimalists
Maine
7.5
/10
West Virginia
4.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Maine
9.5
/10
West Virginia
8
/10
Maine
Giving up
Allagash tours, Bissell Brothers cans, hoppy heaven.
West Virginia
Gaining
Fayetteville's Bridge Brew Works, Big Timber brewing Co. in Elkins, The Brew Pub in Morgantown
Recommended WV cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Maine
9.5
/10
West Virginia
8
/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 Maine and living in West Virginia
MaineWest Virginia
Forget the Restaurants: Here's How Locals Actually Eat in ME and WV
Eating Like a Local in Maine
Forget your grinder, sub sandwich, or hoagie. This form of nourishment is called "an Italian." Hot or cold. Open-faced or closed. It's an Italian. Meatball sandwich? Meatball Italian. Veggie grinder? Veggie Italian. Italian sub? You guessed it: Italian Italian.
Greg ReidMaine 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 ExpertThe Honest Tax Effect of Moving to WV from ME
Maine
West Virginia
MainevsWest Virginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Maine
Progressive 5.8% to 7.15% brackets
VS
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHighest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Maine
Highest around Portland and coastal towns, lower in Aroostook, Piscataquis, interior
VS
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
The Honest People, Politics, & Religion Reality: ME vs WV
Maine
West Virginia
MainevsWest Virginia
People
PeopleYankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Maine
Yankee reserved but welcoming, wicked helpful, blunt yet kind, tight community vibes, year round hardy
VS
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Politics
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Maine
Independent streak, split tickets, cities blue, rural red, first to adopt ranked choice
VS
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Maine
Mostly Christian, many unaffiliated, Catholic pockets in Portland and Lewiston, small Jewish and Muslim communities
VS
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
What the Seasons Feel Like in ME vs WV
SUMMER
Maine
beach day needs a hoodie (sea breeze chills the coast, inland towns flirt with ninety)
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
WINTER
Maine
nostril freezing theater (Aroostook goes full deep freeze, Portland stays slushy and stubborn)
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 Maine, 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