Moving from Durham, NC to Virginia Beach, VA
Moving from Durham, NC to Virginia Beach, VA covers 204 mi and about 4h 14m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
204 mi Β· 4h 14m by car Β· VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, US 13, US 460 |
| 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
| Durham | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Virginia Beach and Durham is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Virginia Beach is 0.4% above Durham ($427,032 vs $396,395 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Durham (58.4Β°F) and Virginia Beach (59.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Virginia Beach averages 3.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Virginia Beach is 0.4% above Durham ($79,234 β $90,685, ACS 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 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-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
How does household income compare in Durham vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $79,234 in Durham β a 14.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 204 mi and the route typically takes 4h 14m via US 58 and US 13. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Durham 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 204 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $396,395 in Durham β a 7.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 0.4% higher than Durham (97.941 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 336,100 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Virginia Beach, VA.