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Indiana to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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Planning a 570 mile interstate move from Indiana to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (midwestern traditional vs colonial revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef and Noodles, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia Ham & BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Virginia housing costs are 63% more expensive than they are in Indiana
  • Rent in Virginia is 35.64% more expensive than in Indiana
  • Moving from Indiana to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Virginia movers is ARS Movers

Indiana to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Virginia

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Harsh winters
  • Fewer tech jobs
  • Less coastal access
  • Lack of mountain views
  • Limited wine regions
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Milder winters
  • Thriving tech sector
  • Close to beaches
  • Scenic mountain landscapes
  • Rich wine culture

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Higher expenses
  • Adaptation required
  • More congestion
  • Faster-paced lifestyle
  • Hilly landscapes
Indiana iconIndiana
  • Lower cost of living
  • Familiar community
  • Less traffic
  • Midwest hospitality
  • Flat terrains

Pros of moving from Indiana to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer tech jobs and moving to Virginia with a thriving tech sector
  • Swap the less coastal access of Indiana for being close to beaches in Virginia
  • Get ready for scenic mountain landscapes in Virginia

Cons of moving from Indiana to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Indiana to live with higher expenses in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a familiar community and have to settle for the con of adaptation required
  • Time to bid farewell to less traffic and get used to more congestion in Virginia
  • Swap Midwest hospitality for a faster-paced lifestyle

Indiana vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichVirginia Ham
Most popular meat dishBeef and NoodlesBBQ Pulled Pork
Most popular street food itemElephant EarsOysters
Most popular vegan foodTempeh TacosAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Bluebeard
  • The Eagle
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L'Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois
  • Mama J's Kitchen
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Indiana to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef and Noodles and sumptuous Elephant Ears, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Pulled Pork and Oysters to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Bluebeard, and The Eagle. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L'Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Mama J's Kitchen.

When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Virginia

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleMidwestern TraditionalColonial Revival
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious backyards, basementsHardwood floors, granite countertops
  • The Midwestern Traditional architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and granite countertops.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Indiana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
  • Virginia has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
  • Virginia housing costs are 63% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
  • Rent in Virginia is 35.64% more expensive than in Indiana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Virginia

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsHurricanes, floods
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6487/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/2048/29
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4244
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2225
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Virginia. Virginia gets 10% more sunshine days than Indiana.
  • Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Virginia.
  • The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in Indiana.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia. Virginia receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Virginia

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Avg. Household Income$66,785$85,873
Cost of Living Index92.9596.6
State Income Tax3.23%5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.85%0.80%
Avg. Sales Tax7.00%5.30%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AgricultureGovernment, High Tech, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyModerateLower
HomelessnessModerateLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 29% more than in Indiana
  • The COLI in Virginia will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
  • The state income tax in VA is 5.75% compared to 3.23% in IN
  • The affluence in Virginia is higher compared to moderate in Indiana
  • The poverty level is lower in Virginia compared to moderate in Indiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Indiana and lower in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Virginia

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanSwing state, recent lean towards Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative in rural areasLiberal in urban areas, notably Northern Virginia
ReligionProtestant majority, significant Catholic communityDiverse, Protestant majority with growing non-Christian faith communities
  • Indiana tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state with a recent lean towards Democratic
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a Protestant majority and growing non-Christian faith communities
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority with a significant Catholic community

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Virginia

ComparisonIndianaVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
College of William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSignature School
Evansville; Park Tudor
Indianapolis; Carmel Elementary
Carmel
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; Basis Independent McLean
McLean; Nuckols Farm Elementary
Henrico
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
West Lafayette; Sidener Academy for High Ability Students
Indianapolis; Brown County Junior High
Nashville
Longfellow Middle School
Falls Church; Cooper Middle School
McLean; George H. Moody Middle School
Henrico
Top 3 High SchoolsSignature School
Evansville; Carmel High School
Carmel; Fishers High School
Fishers
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; Langley High School
McLean; McLean High School
McLean
Top 3 private high schoolsCulver Academies
Culver; Park Tudor School
Indianapolis; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Indianapolis
Thomas Jefferson School
Alexandria; The Potomac School
McLean; St. Christopher's School
Richmond
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPark Tudor School
Indianapolis; Culver Academies
Culver; University High School of Indiana
Carmel
The Potomac School
McLean; Norfolk Academy
Norfolk; Flint Hill School
Oakton
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Zionsville Community Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools

How Much Do Indiana to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 570 miles from Indiana to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,526300 ft3$5.09
1 Bedroom$2,266450 ft3$5.04
2 Bedrooms$3,739750 ft3$4.99
3 Bedrooms$5,4291100 ft3$4.94
4 Bedrooms$7,8171600 ft3$4.89
5+ Bedrooms$8,7041800 ft3$4.84

Top Indiana to Virginia Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details