Moving from San Mateo, CA to Alexandria, VA
It is 2837 mi and 49h 59m from San Mateo to Alexandria β a cross-country move across 12 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2837 mi Β· 49h 59m by car Β· VA β MD β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β MD β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.8% cheaper overall in Alexandria than San Mateo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 41.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.08 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.8% β $152,669 β $113,638 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Alexandria, VA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2837 mi and the route typically takes 49h 59m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 59.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 25.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Alexandria more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 5.8% lower than San Mateo (108.884 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2837 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Alexandria, VA.