Moving from Norfolk, VA to Chesapeake, VA
It is a short 23 mi hop from Norfolk, VA to Chesapeake, 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
| Norfolk | Chesapeake | 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 |
Norfolk and Chesapeake 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 climbs from $306,227 in Norfolk to $420,756 in Chesapeake, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norfolk | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 48.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.4Β°F vs 63.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.72 |
Chesapeake households earn about 0.0% more than Norfolk at the median β $64,017 β $94,189 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chesapeake 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chesapeake average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Chesapeake, VA from Norfolk, 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.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk to Chesapeake?
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 does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $64,017 in Norfolk β a 47.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $306,227 in Norfolk β a 37.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA Β· Chesapeake, VA.