Moving from St. Louis, MO to Richmond, VA
Relocating 824 mi from St. Louis to Richmond is a 15h 17m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
824 mi Β· 15h 17m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 150, IL 3 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
St. Louis and Richmond sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 45.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.0Β°F vs 58.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 8.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.23 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.9% higher in Richmond than St. Louis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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-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 far is Richmond, VA from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 824 mi and the route typically takes 15h 17m via I 64 and US 150. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 824 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Richmond more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 2.9% higher than St. Louis (97.858 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 13.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Richmond, VA.