Moving from Richmond, CA to Alexandria, VA
Moving from Richmond, CA to Alexandria, VA is a 2804 mi cross-country relocation — about 49h 19m of driving through 12 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.
2804 mi · 49h 19m by car · VA → MD → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → MD → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Alexandria are 5.8% below Richmond — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 5.8% higher in Alexandria than Richmond as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.8°F vs 59.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Alexandria sees 13.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.08 |
Median household income in Alexandria is 5.8% above Richmond ($90,038 vs $113,638, ACS 5-year 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 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 — 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
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
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 58.8°F in Richmond (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 24.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 11.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Alexandria more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 5.8% lower than Richmond (108.884 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2804 mi and the route typically takes 49h 19m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 26.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 2804 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Alexandria, VA.