Moving from Richmond, VA to High Point, NC
It is a 218 mi drive, roughly 4h 16m, between Richmond, VA and High Point, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
218 mi · 4h 16m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 70, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Greensboro, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has High Point at 92.865 vs Richmond at 97.858.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $369,646 to $249,821 moving to High Point.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.9°F) and High Point (61.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
High Point averages 1.9 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: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.56 |
Median household incomes in Richmond ($62,671) and High Point ($61,228) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Richmond vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 2.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in High Point compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 32.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 218 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is High Point, NC from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 218 mi and the route typically takes 4h 16m via I 85 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is High Point more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 5.1% lower than Richmond (92.865 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and High Point?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in High Point vs 58.9°F in Richmond (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 45.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · High Point, NC.