Moving from Alexandria, VA to Chesapeake, VA
It is a 203 mi drive, roughly 4h 9m, between Alexandria, VA and Chesapeake, VA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
203 mi Β· 4h 9m by car Β· VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 64, I 664 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Chesapeake | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.1% moving from Alexandria to Chesapeake β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $676,205 in Alexandria to $420,756 in Chesapeake, a 10.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Alexandria | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 48.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.3Β°F vs 63.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.72 |
Households in Chesapeake earn about 10.1% less at the median β 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 much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $676,205 in Alexandria β a 37.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $113,638 in Alexandria β a 17.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chesapeake, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 203 mi and the route typically takes 4h 9m via I 95 and I 64. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Chesapeake more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chesapeake is 10.1% lower than Alexandria (97.941 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Chesapeake?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA Β· Chesapeake, VA.