Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Norfolk, VA
The drive from Virginia Beach to Norfolk covers 21 mi in about 32 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
21 mi · 32 min by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 165, VA 194 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Norfolk and Virginia Beach is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Norfolk is 0.0% below Virginia Beach — $427,032 vs $306,227 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 45.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Virginia Beach (59.8°F) and Norfolk (61.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norfolk averages 3.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Virginia Beach 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Norfolk, VA from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via I 64 and VA 165. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 21 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 Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 29.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Norfolk?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.4°F in Norfolk vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.0 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 45.7 in vs 46.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 28.3% 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 · Norfolk, VA.