Moving from Richmond, VA to Norfolk, VA
It is a 90 mi drive, roughly 1h 54m, between Richmond, VA and Norfolk, VA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
90 mi · 1h 54m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 60, VA 168 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Richmond and Norfolk sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Norfolk run about 0.1% cheaper — ZHVI $369,646 → $306,227 (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.9°F vs 61.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.49 |
Household income lines up — $62,671 vs $64,017 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk 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 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 does household income compare in Richmond vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 2.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 17.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 0.1% higher than Richmond (97.941 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 58.9°F in Richmond (2.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 45.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 90 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 90 mi and the route typically takes 1h 54m via I 64 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Norfolk, VA.