Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Virginia Beach, VA
It is 647 mi between Chattanooga and Virginia Beach — roughly 12h 6m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 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.
647 mi · 12h 6m by car · VA → TN
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, US 52 |
| 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
| Chattanooga | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.1% above Chattanooga — 91.464 → 97.941 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 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: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.54 |
Virginia Beach households earn about 7.1% more than Chattanooga at the median — $61,028 → $90,685 on 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.
Moving between Tennessee 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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 Virginia Beach compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 33.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 647 mi and the route typically takes 12h 6m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 48.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 7.1% higher than Chattanooga (97.941 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 55.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga 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 647 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 Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Virginia Beach, VA.