Moving from Alexandria, VA to Richmond, VA
It is a 103 mi drive, roughly 2h 6m, between Alexandria, VA and Richmond, VA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
103 mi · 2h 6m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 395, US 17 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Richmond at 97.858 vs Alexandria at 108.884.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $676,205 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3°F) and Richmond (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.23 |
Richmond households earn about 10.1% less than Alexandria at the median — $113,638 → $62,671 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 45.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 41.8 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 10.1% lower than Alexandria (97.858 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richmond, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 103 mi and the route typically takes 2h 6m via I 95 and I 395. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 103 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Richmond, VA.