Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Virginia Beach, VA
A move from Oklahoma City, OK to Virginia Beach, VA covers 1396 mi and around 25h 9m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1396 mi · 25h 9m by car · OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Little Rock, Memphis, Murfreesboro, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.3% pricier overall in Virginia Beach than Oklahoma City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Virginia Beach typical home at $427,032 is 8.3% above Oklahoma City at $206,713 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 60.1°F vs 59.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 35 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Virginia Beach is 8.3% above Oklahoma City ($66,702 vs $90,685, 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 Oklahoma 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1396 mi and the route typically takes 25h 9m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 36.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 36.4 in.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 8.3% higher than Oklahoma City (97.941 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 1396 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 106.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Virginia Beach, VA.