Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to High Point, NC
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to High Point, NC covers 268 mi and about 5h 30m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
268 mi · 5h 30m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 58, US 13 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
High Point is 5.2% cheaper than Virginia Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in High Point is 5.2% below Virginia Beach — $427,032 vs $249,821 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Virginia Beach (59.8°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: OCEANA NAS, VA US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.56 |
Median household income in High Point is 5.2% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 vs $61,228, ACS 5-year 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 much do homes cost in High Point compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 41.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is High Point, NC from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 268 mi and the route typically takes 5h 30m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and High Point?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in High Point vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 268 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is High Point more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 5.2% lower than Virginia Beach (92.865 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · High Point, NC.