West Virginia Local Expert
Hannah Wyatt
“I am a born and raised West Virginian who briefly tested life across state lines before realizing the pull of…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From WVMoving from West Virginia|To AKMoving to Alaska|West Virginia → Alaska
Making the Move from WV to Alaska: How Life Changes After the Move
Swapping the rolling Appalachian hills of West Virginia for the vast wilderness of Alaska is one of the most dramatic relocations you can make within the United States. These two states sit at opposite ends of nearly every spectrum, from climate and geography to cost of living and daily pace of life. West Virginia offers a tight knit culture rooted in coal country charm and affordable small town living, while Alaska trades all of that for towering mountain ranges, remote communities, and a frontier lifestyle that demands serious preparation. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Mackenzie) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect long before you start loading the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Drive from WV to Alaska: What to Plan For
Average distance
3,750miles
Typical route
A drive from West Virginia to Alaska requires traveling through Canada. The typical route heads northwest through the Midwest and Great Plains before crossing into Canada, continuing through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory via the Alaska Highway, and entering Alaska near Tok.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Charleston, WV → Anchorage, AK
~3750 miles
Huntington, WV → Fairbanks, AK
~3900 miles
Morgantown, WV → Juneau, AK
~3800 miles
Parkersburg, WV → Anchorage, AK
~3700 miles
Wheeling, WV → Wasilla, AK
~3650 miles
Should You Move From West Virginia to Alaska Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Alaska from West Virginia 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.
The Full Cost of a WV to Alaska Move
Moving 3,750 miles from West Virginia to Alaska 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Is Your Vibe Built for a Move from WV to Alaska?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Military, CrossFit Regular, or Minimalist, you'll thrive in your move to Alaska. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Gamer, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 West Virginia to Alaska.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from WV to AK
Military Culture
West Virginia
5.5
/10
Alaska
9
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Martinsburg VA care, Beckley VA care, quiet Eastern Panhandle neighborhoods
Alaska
Gaining
Elmendorf and Fort Wainwright offer strong community
Recommended AK cities/areas for Retired Militaries
AnchorageFairbanks
West Virginia
5.5
/10
Alaska
9
/10
Fitness
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Alaska
8.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Mountaineer CrossFit, CrossFit 304, plus Spartan races at Snowshoe
Alaska
Gaining
Iditarod-tough culture keeps gyms packed
Recommended AK cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
AnchorageJuneau
West Virginia
6.5
/10
Alaska
8.5
/10
Minimalism
West Virginia
4.5
/10
Alaska
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Charleston's Capitol Street and Morgantown's college campus walkability help, but statewide car culture complicates it
Alaska
Gaining
Remote cabin life strips everything down nicely
Recommended AK cities/areas for Minimalists
HomerJuneau
West Virginia
4.5
/10
Alaska
6
/10
Gardener
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Alaska
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Oglebay gardens, WV Botanic Garden, Capitol Market
Alaska
Gaining
Palmer's giant cabbage competition is genuinely legendary
Recommended AK cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
PalmerHomer
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Alaska
6
/10
Gaming
West Virginia
6
/10
Alaska
4
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
WVU varsity esports, Huntington Old North Arcade Bar & Kitchen, Charleston's Board Room
Alaska
Gaining
Long dark winters help, but internet speeds often don't
Recommended AK cities/areas for Gamers
AnchorageFairbanks
West Virginia
6
/10
Alaska
4
/10
Thrifting
West Virginia
7.5
/10
Alaska
5.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Shepherdstown antiques, Wheeling Centre Market, Lewisburg treasure hunts
Alaska
Gaining
Hidden gems in Anchorage thrift shops, if you look
Recommended AK cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
AnchorageFairbanks
West Virginia
7.5
/10
Alaska
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Alaska?
I live for the scent of cottonwood buds blooming in Spring. It is my happy place- and represents warmer, longer, sunnier days ahead!
– Mackenzie Schultz
Alaska Local
Lifestyle differences between living in West Virginia and living in Alaska
West VirginiaAlaska
Forget the Food Blogs: Here's How Locals Really Eat in WV and Alaska
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in Alaska
Beer Battered Fish and Chips (Try the Halibut or Rockfish!), Local Alaskan Oysters, King Crab Legs, PelMeni's, Fish Tacos, and Grilled Salmon. Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Farmed Salmon!
Mackenzie SchultzAlaska Local ExpertWhat Transforms on Your Tax Bill Moving to Alaska from WV?
West Virginia
Alaska
West VirginiavsAlaska
State Income Tax
State Income TaxGraduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
VS
Alaska
None, plus you get a Permanent Fund Dividend check annually
Property Taxes
Property TaxesGenerally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
VS
Alaska
Among the lowest nationwide, no statewide levy
What Separates WV and Alaska: Culture, Politics, & Faith
West Virginia
Alaska
West VirginiavsAlaska
People
PeopleMountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
VS
Alaska
Rugged, self-reliant, welcoming and happy to help
Politics
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
VS
Alaska
Libertarian-leaning red with fierce independent streak, ranked choice voting
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
VS
Alaska
Majority Christian including Protestants, Russian Orthodox, and Catholics, significant Native spiritual traditions, alongside Church of Latter-day Saints, as well as non-religious
What Looks Different About the Seasons When You Move from WV to Alaska
SUMMER
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
Alaska
Can be shockingly pleasant sweater weather (mostly 60s, sometimes 70s-80s inland)
WINTER
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
Alaska
Frostbite mode (Interior hits minus 40, Coasts are windy and rainy mild). Dark!
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Alaska
I love the transition of trading in my packraft paddles, fishing gear, camping equipment, and mountain bike for backcountry skis, ice climbing tools, ice skates, and a local library card!
Mackenzie SchultzAlaska Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Alaska
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 West Virginia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Alaska. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Alaska local experts.