Moving from Norfolk, VA to Killeen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Norfolk, VA → Killeen, TX cover 1516 mi and about 27h 11m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1516 mi · 27h 11m by car · VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norfolk | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Killeen is 7.0% cheaper than Norfolk overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Killeen is 7.0% below Norfolk — $306,227 vs $219,957 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 34.8" |
Climate warms by 5.2°F on the annual average — 61.4°F → 66.6°F.
Killeen gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.61 |
Income steps down 7.0%: $64,017 in Norfolk vs $58,339 in Killeen.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Killeen, TX from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 1516 mi and the route typically takes 27h 11m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 8.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 28.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (5.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 45.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1516 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Killeen more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 7.0% lower than Norfolk (91.132 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · Killeen, TX.