Moving from Chesapeake, VA to Laredo, TX
Cross-country relocations like Chesapeake, VA β Laredo, TX cover 1708 mi and about 31h 47m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1708 mi Β· 31h 47m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chesapeake | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 11.2% below Chesapeake β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 11.2% under Chesapeake at $420,756 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Chesapeake +2.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chesapeake | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 19.7" |
Climate warms by 12.0Β°F on the annual average β 63.0Β°F β 75.0Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FENTRESS NAAS, VA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chesapeake | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $94,189 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.2% between Chesapeake and Laredo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Laredo more expensive than Chesapeake?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 11.2% lower than Chesapeake (86.956 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Chesapeake?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $420,756 in Chesapeake β a 47.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chesapeake vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $94,189 in Chesapeake β a 32.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Chesapeake, VA?
The driving distance is 1708 mi and the route typically takes 31h 47m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Chesapeake?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Chesapeake to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1708 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Chesapeake.
City profiles: Chesapeake, VA Β· Laredo, TX.