Moving from El Paso, TX to Alexandria, VA
It is 1967 mi and 34h 38m from El Paso to Alexandria — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1967 mi · 34h 38m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 89.912 in El Paso to 108.884 in Alexandria, putting overall prices 21.1% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $234,775 to $676,205 moving to Alexandria.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 41.8" |
Expect 6.9°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Alexandria averages 13.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.08 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.1% — $58,734 → $113,638 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 66.2°F in El Paso (6.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 8.8 in.
How far is Alexandria, VA from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1967 mi and the route typically takes 34h 38m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 188.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Alexandria more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 21.1% higher than El Paso (108.884 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 93.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Paso to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1967 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Alexandria, VA.