Missouri to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 866 mile interstate move from Missouri to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Virginia ham), real estate & housing (french colonial, ranch vs colonial, georgian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia ham & Country ham biscuits
- Virginia housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in Virginia is 37.13% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
Missouri vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style pizza | Virginia ham |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City barbecue | Country ham biscuits |
Most popular street food item | Toasted ravioli | Soft shell crab sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit sandwich | Avocado toast |
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 Missouri to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Virginia ham of Virginia. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous toasted ravioli, Virginia residents know they have tasty country ham biscuits and soft shell crab sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit sandwich 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 Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pi Pizzeria, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. 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, Restaurant Verde, and Sally's Seafood Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Virginia compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | French Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Georgian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods | Access to good schools, Proximity to government jobs |
- The French Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Georgian architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like access to good schools and proximity to government jobs.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- Virginia has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- Virginia housing costs are 59% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in Virginia is 37.13% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | 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, floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 67Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 47Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 44 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 14 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to Virginia. Virginia gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- Virginia has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer in Virginia than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia as it receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 5.3% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Government, Tech, Defense |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 32% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in Virginia will be 5% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in VA is 5.75% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is lower in Virginia compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Missouri and lower in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Tends to lean Republican, especially in rural areas | Swings, with recent trends leaning Democratic, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Conservative stance in local governance | Progressive policies in urban centers; mixed in rural areas |
Religion | Christianity dominates; considerable Evangelical presence | Diverse; higher percentage of non-religious residents |
- Missouri tends to lean Republican, especially in rural areas in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as swinging, with recent trends leaning Democratic, especially in urban areas
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as diverse with a higher percentage of non-religious residents
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as dominated by Christianity with a considerable Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Virginia
Comparison | Missouri | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis | University of Virginia Virginia Tech William & Mary |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary (St. Louis) Wild Horse Elementary (Chesterfield) Wilsonβs Creek 5-6 School (Springfield) | Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna) Stenwood Elementary (Vienna) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Crestview Middle School (Ellisville) Pembroke Hill Middle School (Kansas City) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Cooper Middle School (McLean) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) |
Top 3 High Schools | Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St. Louis) Clayton High School (Clayton) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School (McLean) Langley High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (St. Louis) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | The Potomac School (McLean) St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) The Barstow School (Kansas City) | The Potomac School (McLean) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) Flint Hill School (Oakton) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Ladue School District Kirkwood School District | Falls Church City Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Fairfax County Public Schools |
How Much Do Missouri to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 866 miles from Missouri to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,693 | 300 ft3 | $5.64 |
1 Bedroom | $2,518 | 450 ft3 | $5.59 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,159 | 750 ft3 | $5.54 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,044 | 1100 ft3 | $5.49 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,712 | 1600 ft3 | $5.44 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,711 | 1800 ft3 | $5.39 |
Top Missouri to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.