Moving from Concord, NC to Virginia Beach, VA
It is a 326 mi drive, roughly 6h 29m, between Concord, NC and Virginia Beach, 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.
326 mi · 6h 29m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 58, US 13 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% above Concord — $382,592 → $427,032 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.54 |
Households in Virginia Beach earn about 0.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
Moving between North Carolina and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 0.6% higher than Concord (97.941 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $382,592 in Concord — a 11.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 60.7°F in Concord (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 47.9 in.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 326 mi and the route typically takes 6h 29m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 326 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $84,752 in Concord — a 7.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, NC · Virginia Beach, VA.