Moving from San Mateo, CA to Virginia Beach, VA
A 3001 mi cross-country move between San Mateo and Virginia Beach is 53h 20m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
3001 mi Β· 53h 20m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.3% cheaper overall in Virginia Beach than San Mateo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Virginia Beach gets around 3.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.54 |
Virginia Beach households earn about 15.3% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $90,685 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach 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.
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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 3001 mi and the route typically takes 53h 20m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 74.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 15.3% lower than San Mateo (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 40.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3001 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· Virginia Beach, VA.