Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Virginia Beach, VA
Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Virginia Beach, VA covers 345 mi and about 7h 34m by car through 4 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.
345 mi · 7h 34m by car · VA → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, NJTP, DE 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Virginia Beach are 13.0% below Elizabeth — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Virginia Beach typical home at $427,032 is 13.0% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.5°F vs 59.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.54 |
Median household income in Virginia Beach is 13.0% above Elizabeth ($63,874 vs $90,685, ACS 5-year 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 New Jersey 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.
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 Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 20.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 13.0% lower than Elizabeth (97.941 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 42.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 46.6 in.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 345 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Virginia Beach, VA.