Moving from Chesapeake, VA to Norfolk, VA
It is a short 23 mi hop from Chesapeake, VA to Norfolk, VA β roughly 40 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
23 mi Β· 40 min by car Β· VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 17, VA 194 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chesapeake | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Chesapeake and Norfolk sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $420,756 in Chesapeake to $306,227 in Norfolk, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chesapeake +2.9%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chesapeake | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.0Β°F vs 61.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FENTRESS NAAS, VA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chesapeake | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $94,189 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.4% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.49 |
Norfolk households earn about 0.0% less than Chesapeake at the median β $94,189 β $64,017 on ACS 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 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Chesapeake vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $94,189 in Chesapeake β a 32.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chesapeake to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 23 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Chesapeake?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $420,756 in Chesapeake β a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Chesapeake, VA?
The driving distance is 23 mi and the route typically takes 40 min via I 64 and US 17. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Chesapeake?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 737,200 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 Chesapeake.
City profiles: Chesapeake, VA Β· Norfolk, VA.