Moving from Raleigh, NC to Virginia Beach, VA
Relocating between Raleigh, NC and Virginia Beach, VA is a 200 mi drive — 4h 3m 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.
200 mi · 4h 3m by car · NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, I 95, US 64 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Newport News, Chesapeake, Norfolk |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Raleigh and Virginia Beach sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Virginia Beach ($427,032) sits close to Raleigh ($433,996) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.1°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: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.54 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.2% higher in Virginia Beach than Raleigh.
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 — 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 200 mi and the route typically takes 4h 3m via US 58 and I 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 0.2% lower than Raleigh (97.941 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 10.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 1.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 49.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Virginia Beach, VA.