Moving from Chesapeake, VA to St. Louis, MO
It is 930 mi between Chesapeake and St. Louis β roughly 17h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
930 mi Β· 17h 25m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 150, IL 3 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, Richmond, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chesapeake | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Chesapeake +2.9%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chesapeake | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 43.9" |
Annual temperature drops 5.0Β°F moving to St. Louis per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FENTRESS NAAS, VA US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chesapeake | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $94,189 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.4% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.03 |
St. Louis households earn about 2.9% less than Chesapeake at the median β $94,189 β $55,279 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Chesapeake, VA?
The driving distance is 930 mi and the route typically takes 17h 25m via I 64 and US 150. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chesapeake vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $94,189 in Chesapeake β a 41.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Chesapeake?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.9% lower than Chesapeake (95.088 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Chesapeake?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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 St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 930 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· St. Louis, MO.