Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Virginia Beach, VA
The 282 mi from Winston-Salem to Virginia Beach 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
| Winston-Salem | Virginia Beach | 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 Virginia Beach than Winston-Salem on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Virginia Beach typical home at $427,032 is 6.4% above Winston-Salem at $264,333 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 59.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.4 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, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.54 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.4% between Winston-Salem and Virginia Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach 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-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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Virginia Beach?
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.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Winston-Salem, NC?
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.
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach 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.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 61.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 57.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach 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.
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· Virginia Beach, VA.