Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Norfolk, VA

A move from Sandy Springs, GA to Norfolk, VA covers 568 mi and around 11h 9m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

568 mi Β· 11h 9m by car Β· VA β†’ NC β†’ SC β†’ GA

COL -2.1% Home values -55.7% Ξ” -0.1Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
568 mi
Drive time
11h 9m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
23 gal
Route throughVA β†’ NC β†’ SC β†’ GA
Primary highwaysI 85, US 58, US 460
Major cities en routeNewport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Raleigh

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Sandy SpringsNorfolkU.S. avg
All items (RPP)100.05897.941100.0
Rents96.23989.579100.0
Goods100.41696.767100.0
Services111.02299.805100.0

Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sandy Springs (100.058) and Norfolk (97.941) are within a few points of each other.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Sandy Springs β€” typical home
$691,063
Norfolk β€” typical home
$306,227
Sandy Springs β€” typical rent
$1,677/mo
Norfolk β€” typical rent
$1,736/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Norfolk: 2.1% below Sandy Springs on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsSandy SpringsNorfolk
Annual avg temperature62Β°F61Β°F
January avg low33Β°F34Β°F
July avg high89Β°F89Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”3.0"
Annual precipitation51.4"45.7"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Light snow year: Norfolk gets around 3.0 in annually.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Sandy SpringsNorfolk
Population107,198235,037
Median household income$101,593$64,017
Median age37.132.4
Bachelor's degree or higher39.8%19.3%
Avg household size2.062.49

Median household income in Norfolk is 2.1% below Sandy Springs ($101,593 vs $64,017, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Sandy Springs MSA β€” median wage
$48,370
Norfolk MSA β€” median wage
$46,990
Sandy Springs MSA β€” employment
2,817,660
Norfolk MSA β€” employment
737,200

Top occupations in Norfolk MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Georgia and Virginia

Georgia income tax
5.39% top marginal
Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal

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 β€” 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.

Frequently asked

How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Sandy Springs?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Is Norfolk more expensive than Sandy Springs?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 2.1% lower than Sandy Springs (97.941 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Norfolk, VA from Sandy Springs, GA?

The driving distance is 568 mi and the route typically takes 11h 9m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Norfolk?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β€” a 37.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Sandy Springs?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β€” a 55.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Norfolk?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 568 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” 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 Sandy Springs.

City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Norfolk, VA.

Related routes