Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Ontario, CA
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Ontario, CA is a 2689 mi cross-country relocation β about 47h 19m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2689 mi Β· 47h 19m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.7% pricier overall in Ontario than Virginia Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Ontario typical home at $672,742 is 8.7% above Virginia Beach at $427,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 11.6" |
Ontario runs 7.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.8Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 8.7% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 β $82,806, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2689 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 Ontario compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Ontario, CA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 2689 mi and the route typically takes 47h 19m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Ontario more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 8.7% higher than Virginia Beach (106.442 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 57.5% higher 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· Ontario, CA.