Moving from Alexandria, VA to Virginia Beach, VA
The 204 mi from Alexandria to Virginia Beach translate to about 4h 5m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
204 mi · 4h 5m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 95, I 295 |
| 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
| Alexandria | Virginia Beach | 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 |
RPP moves from 108.884 to 97.941, putting Virginia Beach roughly 10.1% below Alexandria on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Virginia Beach: 10.1% below Alexandria on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Virginia Beach gets around 3.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.54 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.1% between Alexandria and Virginia Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach 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 does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach 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.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 36.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 204 mi and the route typically takes 4h 5m via I 64 and I 95. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 41.8 in.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 10.1% lower than Alexandria (97.941 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 Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 204 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Virginia Beach, VA.