Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Elizabeth, NJ covers 345 mi and about 7h 34m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
345 mi · 7h 34m by car · VA → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, NJTP, DE 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.9% pricier overall in Elizabeth than Virginia Beach on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elizabeth typical home at $534,667 is 14.9% above Virginia Beach at $427,032 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.8°F vs 55.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 14.9% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 vs $63,874, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 3.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 29.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 14.9% higher than Virginia Beach (112.563 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 345 mi and the route typically takes 7h 34m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 25.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Elizabeth, NJ.