Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Killeen, TX

A move from Virginia Beach, VA to Killeen, TX covers 1465 mi and around 27h 32m of driving through 8 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1465 mi · 27h 32m by car · VA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX

COL -7.0% Home values -48.5% Δ +6.8°F annual Δ -3.4" snow

Distance & route

Driving
1465 mi
Drive time
27h 32m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
59 gal
Route throughVA → NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Primary highwaysI 20, I 85, US 80
Major cities en routeNorfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Virginia BeachKilleenU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.94191.132100.0
Rents89.57981.242100.0
Goods96.76793.757100.0
Services99.80577.884100.0

RPP moves from 97.941 to 91.132, putting Killeen roughly 7.0% below Virginia Beach on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Virginia Beach — typical home
$427,032
Killeen — typical home
$219,957
Virginia Beach — typical rent
$1,973/mo
Killeen — typical rent
$1,258/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Killeen: 7.0% below Virginia Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsVirginia BeachKilleen
Annual avg temperature60°F67°F
January avg low32°F36°F
July avg high87°F96°F
Annual snowfall3.4"0.0"
Annual precipitation46.6"34.8"

Killeen runs 6.8°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Effectively snow-free year in Killeen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, KILLEEN, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Virginia BeachKilleen
Population457,066156,144
Median household income$90,685$58,339
Median age37.430
Bachelor's degree or higher25%16.2%
Avg household size2.542.61

Median household income in Killeen is 7.0% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 vs $58,339, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Virginia Beach MSA — median wage
$46,990
Killeen MSA — median wage
$42,230
Virginia Beach MSA — employment
737,200
Killeen MSA — employment
147,020

Top occupations in Killeen MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 16,840 $37,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 15,620 $26,660
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 14,700 $81,360
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 13,820 $37,760
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations 12,710 $59,740

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Virginia and Texas

Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal
Texas income tax
no state income tax

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
  • 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 Texas after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

Is Killeen more expensive than Virginia Beach?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 7.0% lower than Virginia Beach (91.132 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Killeen?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 35.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Killeen, TX from Virginia Beach, VA?

The driving distance is 1465 mi and the route typically takes 27h 32m via I 20 and I 85. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Killeen?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 46.6 in.

When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Killeen?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1465 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in Killeen compare to Virginia Beach?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Virginia Beach?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 48.5% lower 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 · Killeen, TX.

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