Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Richmond, VA
It is 878 mi between West Palm Beach and Richmond β roughly 16h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
878 mi Β· 16h 12m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, FL 9B |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.3% moving from West Palm Beach to Richmond β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Richmond run about 14.3% cheaper β ZHVI $399,471 β $369,646 (2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperature drops 16.9Β°F β 75.8Β°F in West Palm Beach vs 58.9Β°F in Richmond, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 8.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.23 |
Households in Richmond earn about 14.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida 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 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 much do homes cost in Richmond compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 7.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 14.3% lower than West Palm Beach (97.858 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 9.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 878 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Richmond, VA from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 878 mi and the route typically takes 16h 12m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Richmond, VA.