Moving from Wilmington, NC to Alexandria, VA
Relocating between Wilmington, NC and Alexandria, VA is a 364 mi drive — 6h 51m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
364 mi · 6h 51m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.9% above Wilmington — 96.422 → 108.884 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 41.8" |
Expect 5.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.08 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.9% — $63,900 → $113,638 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 62.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 364 mi and the route typically takes 6h 51m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Alexandria more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 12.9% higher than Wilmington (108.884 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 60.1 in.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 77.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 364 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Alexandria, VA.