Moving from Alexandria, VA to Columbus, OH
It is a 403 mi drive, roughly 8h 2m, between Alexandria, VA and Columbus, OH. 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.
403 mi Β· 8h 2m by car Β· OH β WV β PA β MD β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β WV β PA β MD β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 68 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.3% moving from Alexandria to Columbus 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 $245,979 in Columbus, a 12.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Alexandria | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 44.7" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5Β°F moving to Columbus per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.34 |
Columbus households earn about 12.3% less than Alexandria at the median β $113,638 β $65,327 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $676,205 in Alexandria β a 63.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $113,638 in Alexandria β a 42.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Columbus more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 12.3% lower than Alexandria (95.469 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 403 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Columbus, OH from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 403 mi and the route typically takes 8h 2m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA Β· Columbus, OH.