Moving from Richmond, VA to Chesapeake, VA
The 110 mi from Richmond to Chesapeake translate to about 2h 25m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
110 mi · 2h 25m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 664, US 17 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Chesapeake | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Chesapeake and Richmond is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Chesapeake is 0.1% above Richmond ($420,756 vs $369,646 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 48.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.9°F) and Chesapeake (63.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.1% between Richmond and Chesapeake (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chesapeake 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chesapeake average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 13.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chesapeake, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 110 mi and the route typically takes 2h 25m via I 64 and I 664. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 50.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chesapeake more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chesapeake is 0.1% higher than Richmond (97.941 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Chesapeake?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 110 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, VA · Chesapeake, VA.