Moving from Orlando, FL to Alexandria, VA
It is 861 mi between Orlando and Alexandria — roughly 15h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
861 mi · 15h 58m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $374,136 to $676,205 moving to Alexandria.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 41.8" |
Annual temperature drops 13.7°F moving to Alexandria per NOAA normals.
Alexandria averages 13.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.08 |
Alexandria households earn about 7.4% more than Orlando at the median — $69,268 → $113,638 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orlando to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 861 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 80.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 64.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 861 mi and the route typically takes 15h 58m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 73.0°F in Orlando (13.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 51.5 in.
Is Alexandria more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 7.4% higher than Orlando (108.884 vs 101.418, 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 Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Alexandria, VA.