Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Winston-Salem, NC
The 282 mi from Virginia Beach to Winston-Salem translate to about 5h 44m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
282 mi Β· 5h 44m by car Β· VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 58, US 13 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Newport News, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 97.941 to 92.043, putting Winston-Salem roughly 6.0% below Virginia Beach on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Winston-Salem: 6.0% below Virginia Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 43.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.5 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.0% between Virginia Beach and Winston-Salem (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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-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
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 38.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 271,620 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 Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 282 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 6.0% lower than Virginia Beach (92.043 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 Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 282 mi and the route typically takes 5h 44m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 2 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 Β· Winston-Salem, NC.