Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Alexandria, VA
It is 2822 mi and 49h 57m from Santa Rosa to Alexandria — a cross-country move across 12 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2822 mi · 49h 57m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Fairfield, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.0% under Santa Rosa — $718,726 → $676,205 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 41.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.08 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.0% higher in Alexandria than Santa Rosa.
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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
- 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 Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Alexandria more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 1.0% higher than Santa Rosa (108.884 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 2822 mi and the route typically takes 49h 57m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 5.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 31.5 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 16.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 2822 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 Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Alexandria, VA.