Moving from Alexandria, VA to Norfolk, VA
Moving from Alexandria, VA to Norfolk, VA covers 184 mi and about 3h 37m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
184 mi · 3h 37m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 64, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Norfolk | 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 |
Norfolk is 10.1% cheaper than Alexandria overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norfolk is 10.1% below Alexandria — $676,205 vs $306,227 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 45.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3°F) and Norfolk (61.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norfolk averages 3.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.49 |
Median household income in Norfolk is 10.1% below Alexandria ($113,638 vs $64,017, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk 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 20–30% 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Norfolk, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 184 mi and the route typically takes 3h 37m via I 95 and I 64. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 41.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 54.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk 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 Norfolk compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk 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 Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 184 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Norfolk, VA.