Moving from Richmond, VA to St. Louis, MO
It is 824 mi between Richmond and St. Louis β roughly 15h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
824 mi Β· 15h 17m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 150, IL 3 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 43.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.03 |
Households in St. Louis earn about 2.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Richmond to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 824 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 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 St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.8% lower than Richmond (95.088 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 824 mi and the route typically takes 15h 17m via I 64 and US 150. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA Β· St. Louis, MO.