Moving from Richmond, VA to Hollywood, FL
The drive from Richmond, VA to Hollywood, FL runs 930 mi β about 17h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
930 mi Β· 17h 8m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 295, FL 9B |
| Major cities en route | Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Bay |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.858 in Richmond to 114.155 in Hollywood, a 16.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Hollywood at $439,400 is 16.7% above Richmond at $369,646.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 65.0" |
Major climate step-up: 17.2Β°F warmer annual average in Hollywood vs Richmond.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.53 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Hollywood more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 16.7% higher than Richmond (114.155 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 4.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 930 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hollywood, FL from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 930 mi and the route typically takes 17h 8m via I 95 and I 295. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $369,646 in Richmond β a 18.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA Β· Hollywood, FL.