Moving from Ontario, CA to Virginia Beach, VA
Moving from Ontario, CA to Virginia Beach, VA is a 2689 mi cross-country relocation β about 47h 19m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2689 mi Β· 47h 19m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 106.442 to 97.941, putting Virginia Beach roughly 8.0% below Ontario on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Virginia Beach: 8.0% below Ontario on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 46.6" |
Virginia Beach is 7.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 59.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Virginia Beach gets around 3.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Virginia Beach is 8.0% above Ontario ($82,806 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 California 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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 9.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 8.0% lower than Ontario (97.941 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario 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 2689 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 2689 mi and the route typically takes 47h 19m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Virginia Beach, VA.