Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Chesapeake, VA
Relocating from Virginia Beach, VA to Chesapeake, VA? The drive is 25 mi β about 45 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
25 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 165, VA 168 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Chesapeake | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Virginia Beach and Chesapeake sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Chesapeake ($420,756) sits close to Virginia Beach ($427,032) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 48.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.8Β°F vs 63.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.72 |
Household income lines up β $90,685 vs $94,189 on ACS 5-year 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 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-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 93Β°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 far is Chesapeake, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 64 and VA 165. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Chesapeake?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 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 Chesapeake compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 1.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 3.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Chesapeake, VA.