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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Leaving West Virginia for Utah: What the Move Will Actually Cost You
Leaving the Appalachian hills of West Virginia for the red rock landscapes of Utah is one of the more dramatic geographic and cultural transitions you can make within the continental United States. The two states share little common ground beyond their rugged, mountainous terrain, and that contrast extends well beyond the scenery into cost of living, job markets, climate, and daily life. Our Snappy Scout team (Hannah & Ann) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Many Miles from West Virginia to Utah?
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-64 W, I-70 W, I-76 W, I-80 W, I-15 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Charleston, WV → Salt Lake City, UT
~1950 miles
Huntington, WV → Salt Lake City, UT
~1950 miles
Morgantown, WV → Provo, UT
~1950 miles
Parkersburg, WV → Ogden, UT
~1900 miles
Wheeling, WV → St. George, UT
~2050 miles
Should You Move From West Virginia to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah 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.
West Virginia to Utah Moving Cost Guide
Moving 1,950 miles from West Virginia to Utah 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
4–11days
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 Relocating from West Virginia to Utah the Right Decision for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Snowbird, Binge Shopper, or Hipster, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Garden Club Lifetime Member, DIYer, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from WV to UT
Snowbirds
West Virginia
4
/10
Utah
8
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Winters bite, Berkeley Springs spas soothe, but Florida still wins
Utah
Gaining
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. GeorgeWashingtonHurricane
West Virginia
4
/10
Utah
8
/10
Shopping
West Virginia
4
/10
Utah
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Huntington Mall scratches itch, but fewer luxury flagships than big metros
Utah
Gaining
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Salt Lake CityMurrayFarmington
West Virginia
4
/10
Utah
6
/10
Hipsters
West Virginia
6
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Shepherdstown poetry nights, annual West Virginia Book Festival, Fayetteville gear swaps, Appalachian indie shows
Utah
Gaining
Randy's Records flips, Blue Copper pour overs, tiny galleries.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Hipsters
Sugar House9th and 9thProvo
West Virginia
6
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
Gardener
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Oglebay gardens, WV Botanic Garden, Capitol Market
Utah
Gaining
Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival, Red Butte tours, Ogden blooms
Recommended UT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
LehiSalt Lake CityOgdenSt. George
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
DIYers
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Tamarack inspiration, Huntington Habitat ReStore treasures
Utah
Gaining
Craft Lake City festival, RC Willey runs, projects erupt.
Recommended UT cities/areas for DIYers
Salt Lake CityLehiOgden
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
West Virginia
Giving up
Charleston's Capitol Market produce and indoor Purple Onion market, Morgantown Farmers Market Saturdays, Lewisburg Farmers Market
Utah
Gaining
Pioneer Park market, 25th Street vendors, Cache Valley peaches
Recommended UT cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
Salt Lake CityOgdenProvoCedar City
West Virginia
8.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in West Virginia and living in Utah
West VirginiaUtah
How People Actually Live and Eat in West Virginia and Utah
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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertWest Virginia vs Utah: What Moves on Your Tax Return
West Virginia
Utah
West VirginiavsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxGraduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
West Virginia
Graduated rates, recently reduced, top bracket just around 5 percent
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesGenerally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
West Virginia
Generally low statewide, Eastern Panhandle towns slightly higher, rural counties very low
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
The Political, Cultural, & Religious Landscape of West Virginia vs Utah
West Virginia
Utah
West VirginiavsUtah
People
PeopleMountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
West Virginia
Mountain proud, unfussy, neighborly, wave-from-the-porch friendly
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
West Virginia
Deep red statewide, with Morgantown, Charleston, and Shepherdstown pockets of blue
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
West Virginia
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist and Methodist, notable Catholic in Wheeling
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
The Unfiltered Weather Breakdown: West Virginia vs Utah
SUMMER
West Virginia
porch swing sauna (muggy in river valleys, pleasant and more breezy on high ridges)
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
West Virginia
flannel-mandatory, with the most frigid weather in higher-elevation counties like Tucker County, home to Canaan Valley
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
