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 NJMoving to New Jersey|West Virginia → New Jersey
Moving from West Virginia to NJ: Culture Shock You Should Expect
West Virginia and New Jersey sit just a few hundred miles apart on the map, yet the gap between Appalachian mountain towns and the dense corridors of the Garden State can feel far wider once you actually make the move. Trading rolling hills and a slower pace of life for one of the most populated, fast-moving states in the country brings real tradeoffs worth understanding before you commit. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect so nothing catches you off guard when the moving truck pulls away.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Far Is the Move from WV to New Jersey?
Average distance
400miles
Typical route
The drive from West Virginia to New Jersey typically takes you along I-68 E, I-70 E, I-76 E (Pennsylvania Turnpike), and I-95 N, passing through Maryland and Pennsylvania before crossing into New Jersey.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Charleston, WV → Newark, NJ
~450 miles
Morgantown, WV → Trenton, NJ
~350 miles
Huntington, WV → Jersey City, NJ
~500 miles
Parkersburg, WV → Camden, NJ
~400 miles
Wheeling, WV → Atlantic City, NJ
~350 miles
Should You Move From West Virginia to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey 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.
WV to New Jersey Mover Costs
Moving 400 miles from West Virginia to New Jersey 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
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,610.00
1 Bedroom
$2,390.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,940.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,720.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,230.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,170.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,610.00 | 300 | $5.37 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,390.00 | 450 | $5.31 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,940.00 | 750 | $5.25 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,720.00 | 1,100 | $5.2 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,230.00 | 1,600 | $5.14 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,170.00 | 1,800 | $5.09 |
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 a Move to New Jersey from WV Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Wall Street Exec, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a DIYer, Adventure Junkie, or Farmer's Market Regular, 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 New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from WV to NJ
Shopping
West Virginia
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Huntington Mall scratches itch, but fewer luxury flagships than big metros
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
West Virginia
4
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Wall Street Life
West Virginia
3
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
DC commute from Martinsburg works, but it's no Wall Street bustle
New Jersey
Gaining
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Short HillsSummitMillburn
West Virginia
3
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Hipsters
West Virginia
6
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Shepherdstown poetry nights, annual West Virginia Book Festival, Fayetteville gear swaps, Appalachian indie shows
New Jersey
Gaining
Stone Pony, White Eagle Hall, vintage on Bloomfield Ave
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Hipsters
West Virginia
6
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Adventure Activities
West Virginia
9.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
New River Gorge Bridge Day, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, hiking, skiing, camping
New Jersey
Gaining
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
VernonHardwickHammonton
West Virginia
9.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
DIYers
West Virginia
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Tamarack inspiration, Huntington Habitat ReStore treasures
New Jersey
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for DIYers
MaplewoodBloomfieldSomerville
West Virginia
8.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
West Virginia
8.5
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Charleston's Capitol Market produce and indoor Purple Onion market, Morgantown Farmers Market Saturdays, Lewisburg Farmers Market
New Jersey
Gaining
Jersey Fresh tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and cranberries, Collingswood Saturdays, Witherspoon Street bustle
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
MontclairCollingswoodPrinceton
West Virginia
8.5
/10
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in West Virginia and living in New Jersey
West VirginiaNew Jersey
WV vs New Jersey: Eating Local
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 New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertWV to New Jersey Tax Comparison
West Virginia
New Jersey
West VirginiavsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxGraduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesGenerally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
How WV and New Jersey Break Down on Culture, Politics, & Faith
West Virginia
New Jersey
West VirginiavsNew Jersey
People
PeopleMountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
The Real Weather Reality: WV vs New Jersey
SUMMER
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
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 New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
