Kentucky to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 422 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs diverse job market), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Ham), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Ham & Smithfield Ham
- Virginia housing costs are 92% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Virginia is 39.81% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Kentucky to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Virginia
- Limited job opportunities
- Higher poverty rate
- Less national recognition
- Harsh winters
- Diverse job market
- Improved living standards
- Rich historical landmarks
- Milder winters
- Higher cost of living
- Busier urban lifestyle
- Limited local spirits
- Urban sprawl
- Low cost of living
- Quieter rural life
- Famous for bourbon
- Lush countryside
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Virginia
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a diverse job market
- Look forward to moving away from a higher poverty rate and moving to Virginia with improved living standards
- Swap the lesser national recognition of Kentucky for rich historical landmarks in Virginia
- Get ready for milder winters in Virginia
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Kentucky to live with a higher cost of living in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter rural life and have to settle with the con of a busier urban lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to being famous for bourbon and get used to limited local spirits in Virginia
- Swap lush countryside for urban sprawl
Kentucky vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Burgoo | Smithfield Ham |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown sandwich | Soft Shell Crab sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ | Chickpea Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Kentucky to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown sandwich, Virginia residents know they have tasty Smithfield Ham and Soft Shell Crab sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea Salad of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Lady and Sons, Miguel's Pizza, and Jack Fry's. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Shack, Leaping Lizard CafΓ©, and La Taqueria.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia, compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Virginia
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lush landscapes, proximity to parks | Access to amenities, historical sites |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference lush landscapes and proximity to parks, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like access to amenities and historical sites.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Virginia housing costs are 92% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Virginia is 39.81% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Virginia
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, storms | Hurricanes, storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 85Β°F / 64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41Β°F / 23Β°F | 47Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 48" | 44" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22" | 20" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Virginia. Virginia gets 5% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and storms in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Virginia
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 2% to 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 5.3% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Defense, Technology, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Notable | Lower |
Homelessness | Stable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 45% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Virginia will be 10% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in VA is 2% to 5.75% compared to 5% in KY
- The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
- The poverty level is lower in Virginia compared to notable poverty in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is stable in Kentucky and low in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Virginia
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Swing state, recently trending Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative in rural areas | Moderately liberal in urban areas |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant Baptist presence <a href="https://www.kybaptist.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky Baptist Convention</a> | Diverse religious landscape, with a strong presence of Protestant, Catholic, and non-affiliated individuals |
- Kentucky tends to lean traditionally Republican in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently trending Democratic
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with a strong presence of Protestant, Catholic, and non-affiliated individuals
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, with a significant Baptist presence <a href="https://www.kybaptist.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Kentucky Baptist Convention</a>
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Virginia
Comparison | Kentucky | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky Lexington; University of Louisville Louisville; Western Kentucky University Bowling Green | University of Virginia Charlottesville; Virginia Tech Blacksburg; William & Mary Williamsburg |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rosa Parks Elementary Lexington; Stopher Elementary Louisville; Brandeis Elementary Louisville | Forest Edge Elementary Reston; Arlington Science Focus School Arlington; Lucketts Elementary Leesburg |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville; Winburn Middle School Lexington; Highlands Middle School Fort Thomas | Longfellow Middle School Falls Church; Frost Middle School Fairfax; Henley Middle School Crozet |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High Louisville; Gatton Academy Bowling Green; Highlands High Fort Thomas | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Alexandria; McLean High McLean; Langley High McLean |
Top 3 private high schools | Sacred Heart Academy Louisville; St. Xavier High School Louisville; Lexington Catholic High Lexington | Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology Alexandria; The Potomac School McLean; Episcopal High School Alexandria |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lexington School Lexington; Louisville Collegiate School Louisville; Sayre School Lexington | The Potomac School McLean; St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Alexandria; Flint Hill School Oakton |
Top 3 School Districts | Fayette County Public Schools Lexington; Jefferson County Public Schools Louisville; Boone County Schools Florence | Loudoun County Public Schools Ashburn; Fairfax County Public Schools Falls Church; Arlington Public Schools Arlington |
How Much Do Kentucky to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 422 miles from Kentucky to Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,442 | 300 ft3 | $4.81 |
1 Bedroom | $2,140 | 450 ft3 | $4.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,529 | 750 ft3 | $4.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,121 | 1100 ft3 | $4.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,369 | 1600 ft3 | $4.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,200 | 1800 ft3 | $4.56 |
Top Kentucky to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.