Factors affecting the cost of moving from WV to VTtoggle

There are many factors that influence West Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from West Virginia to Vermont will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in West Virginia is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from WV to VT

If you’re moving to Vermont from West Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Vermont

West Virginia Vermont
Average rent cost $899 $1,149
Average home cost $168,172 $390,132
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $74,014
Cost of Living Index 90 0
Unemployment rate 4.2% 2.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 6.0%
State Income Tax 6.5% 8.75%
  • Rent is about 28% more expensive in Vermont than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 132% higher in Vermont than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 34% higher in Vermont than in West Virginia.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Vermont than in West Virginia.
  • Vermont has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 45%.
  • Sales taxes are the same in Vermont and West Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 35% higher in Vermont than in West Virginia.

How life is different in Vermont vs. West Virginia

Vermont West Virginia
Population 647,064 1,782,959
Political leaning Democratic 64-32 Republican 69-30
Summer high 79ºF 83ºF
Winter low 6ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 43" 45"
Annual snow 86" 33"
Crime index 18.93 17.47
  • The population of Vermont is approximately 64% lower than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Vermont voted Democratic and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Vermont is 79ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Vermont reaches the temperature of 6ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Vermont versus 45 inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Vermont, it snows about 86 inches annually versus 33 inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Vermont has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 18.93 vs. 17.47.

Comparing the pros of West Virginia vs. Vermont

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Vermont compared to West Virginia.

Pros of living in West Virginia Pros of living in Vermont
Low cost of living Great outdoor environment
Abundant outdoor activities Simple and traditional lifestyle
4 distinct seasons of weather Scenic
Immense natural beauty Beautiful
Relaxed small cities and towns Abundant winter activities

Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia vs. Vermont

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving West Virginia for Vermont.

Cons of living in West Virginia Cons of living in Vermont
Dismal economy Extremely cold weather
High rates of crime Driving in the snow
High rates of drug abuse Sloppy mud season
Shrinking population High cost of living
Lack of diversity Small economy

Other things to consider for your West Virginia to Vermont movetoggle

  • Weather: Vermont has warm to hot summer and cold winters, with muddy springs, in general, a mild early summer, hot Augusts; it has colorful autumns. If you are moving in the winter be prepared for heavy snowfall.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Vermont, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Vermont moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Vermont does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Vermont. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. When it comes to movers' insurance in Vermont, many moving companies provide Released Value Protection at no extra charge, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For heightened protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Exploring third-party insurance providers for personalized plans is also an option. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Vermont.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Vermonttoggle

While you’re in Vermont, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 1: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory Tour
  • 2: Lake Champlain
  • 3: Shelburne Museum
  • 4: Smugglers Notch State Park
  • 5: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park
  • 6: Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
  • 7: Montshire Museum of Science
  • 8: Killington Ski Resort
  • 9: Quechee Gorge
  • 10: Church Street Marketplace
  • 11: Rock of Ages Quarry
  • 12: Bennington Battle Monument
  • 13: Mount Mansfield
  • 14: Vermont State House
  • 15: Billings Farm and Museum
  • 16: Stowe Mountain Resort
  • 17: McCullough House
  • 18: Vermont Teddy Bear Factory
  • 19: Brattleboro Farmers’ Market
  • 20: Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium21: Green Mountain National Forest
  • 22: Moss Glen Falls
  • 23: Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
  • 24: Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
  • 25: Vermont Antique Mall
  • 26: Old Round Church
  • 27: Pump House Indoor Waterpark
  • 28: Wilson Castle
  • 29: World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet
  • 30: The Alchemist

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from West Virginia to Vermont?toggle

Hiring a full-service West Virginia moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from West Virginia to Vermont?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from West Virginia to Vermont separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from West Virginia to Vermont?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from West Virginia to Vermont are the amazing upsides of living in Vermont such as great outdoor environment and simple and traditional lifestyle.

Is it cheaper to live in West Virginia or Vermont?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Vermont. Housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 57% lower than in Vermont. Taxes are also lower in West Virginia, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Vermont residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Vermont?toggle

You should make approximately $82,705 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Vermont. The cost of living in Vermont is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $6,655 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Vermont you live For example, larger cities like Burlington and Essex will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources