Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Montgomery, AL
The drive from Virginia Beach, VA to Montgomery, AL runs 742 mi β about 14h 19m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
742 mi Β· 14h 19m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| 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 | Montgomery | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 89.682 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 84.907 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 64.347 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Montgomery are 8.4% below Virginia Beach β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Montgomery typical home at $151,228 is 8.4% under Virginia Beach at $427,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Montgomery +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 51.8" |
Climate warms by 8.1Β°F on the annual average β 59.8Β°F β 67.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 198,440 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $55,687 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.4% between Virginia Beach and Montgomery (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Montgomery MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,200 | $37,110 |
| Production Occupations | 16,130 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,580 | $35,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 14,470 | $30,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,170 | $24,070 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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-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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Montgomery average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Montgomery averages 51.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Montgomery, AL from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 742 mi and the route typically takes 14h 19m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Montgomery more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Montgomery is 8.4% lower than Virginia Beach (89.682 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Montgomery?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 742 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 Montgomery compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 160,840 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Montgomery?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,687 in Montgomery vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 38.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Montgomery compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $151,228 in Montgomery vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 64.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Montgomery, AL.