Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA
Relocating between Philadelphia, PA and Richmond, VA is a 251 mi drive — 5h 19m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
251 mi · 5h 19m by car · PA → DE → MD → DC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → DC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 395, MD 295 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 102.554 vs 97.858 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $231,815 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Philadelphia (57.7°F) and Richmond (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.23 |
Median household incomes in Philadelphia ($60,698) and Richmond ($62,671) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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 Richmond, VA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 251 mi and the route typically takes 5h 19m via I 95 and I 395. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 4.6% lower than Philadelphia (97.858 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 3.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 59.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 50.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 251 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 Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Richmond, VA.