Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Jersey City, NJ
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Jersey City, NJ covers 354 mi and about 7h 44m 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.
354 mi · 7h 44m 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 | Jersey City | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Jersey City is 14.9% higher than Virginia Beach, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jersey City is 14.9% above Virginia Beach — $427,032 vs $658,269 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 50.4" |
Jersey City is 5.0°F cooler on the annual average (59.8°F vs 54.8°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.35 |
Median household incomes in Virginia Beach ($90,685) and Jersey City ($94,813) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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 — Jersey City averages 28.2 in annually vs 3.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City 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 Jersey City more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City 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 much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 54.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (5.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 46.6 in.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 4.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 354 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 354 mi and the route typically takes 7h 44m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Jersey City, NJ.