Moving from Chesapeake, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
It is a short 25 mi hop from Chesapeake, VA to Virginia Beach, VA β roughly 45 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
25 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 165, VA 168 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chesapeake | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.805 | 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
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Chesapeake to Virginia Beach β $420,756 vs $427,032 (2026-03).
YoY change: Chesapeake +2.9%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Virginia Beach gets around 3.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FENTRESS NAAS, VA US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chesapeake | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $94,189 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.54 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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-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 far is Virginia Beach, VA from Chesapeake, VA?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 64 and VA 165. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Chesapeake?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $420,756 in Chesapeake β a 1.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chesapeake vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $94,189 in Chesapeake β a 3.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Chesapeake?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA, on total employment of 737,200 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 Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 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· Virginia Beach, VA.