Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Norfolk, VA
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Norfolk, VA covers 273 mi and about 5h 36m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
273 mi Β· 5h 36m by car Β· NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, US 158, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Durham, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.4% pricier overall in Norfolk than Winston-Salem on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.4% higher in Norfolk than Winston-Salem as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 61.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.49 |
Median household income in Norfolk is 6.4% above Winston-Salem ($57,673 β $64,017, 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.
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 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 does the job market in Norfolk compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 15.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 273 mi and the route typically takes 5h 36m via US 58 and US 158. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Norfolk more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 6.4% higher than Winston-Salem (97.941 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 11.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Norfolk, VA.