Moving from Sparks, NV to Norfolk, VA
Cross-country relocations like Sparks, NV → Norfolk, VA cover 2743 mi and about 48h 17m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2743 mi · 48h 17m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sparks | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Sparks (101.014) and Norfolk (97.941) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Norfolk: 3.0% below Sparks on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sparks -0.5%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sparks | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.8" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.4" | 45.7" |
Climate warms by 7.9°F on the annual average — 53.5°F → 61.4°F.
Light snow year: Norfolk gets around 3.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SPARKS, NV US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sparks | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,106 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $86,979 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.0% between Sparks and Norfolk (ACS 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.
Moving between Nevada 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-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 — 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Norfolk, VA from Sparks, NV?
The driving distance is 2743 mi and the route typically takes 48h 17m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sparks vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $86,979 in Sparks — a 26.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Sparks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $529,283 in Sparks — a 42.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sparks and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 53.5°F in Sparks (7.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 6.8 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 8.4 in.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Sparks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 3.0% lower than Sparks (97.941 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sparks 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 2743 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Sparks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $47,540 in the Sparks MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sparks.
City profiles: Sparks, NV · Norfolk, VA.