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North Carolina to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 155 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs milder weather), food & health (like Pulled Pork BBQ vs Ham), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial 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 Pulled Pork BBQ and Eastern BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Ham & Fried Chicken
  • Virginia housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
  • Rent in Virginia is 5.67% more expensive than in North Carolina
  • Moving from North Carolina to Virginia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended North Carolina to Virginia movers is ARS Movers

North Carolina to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Virginia

ConsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Hurricane risks
  • Heavy pollen
  • Limited public transit
  • Less diverse culture
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Milder weather
  • Rich historical sites
  • Extensive transit options
  • Diverse cultural scenes

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Cooler beaches
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Less musical variety
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Warm beaches
  • Affordable living
  • Southern hospitality
  • Vibrant music scenes

Pros of moving from North Carolina to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to milder weather
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy pollen and moving to Virginia with rich historical sites
  • Swap the limited public transit of North Carolina for extensive transit options in Virginia
  • Get ready for diverse cultural scenes in Virginia

Cons of moving from North Carolina to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm beaches in North Carolina to live with cooler beaches in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of affordable living and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
  • Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in Virginia
  • Swap vibrant music scenes for less musical variety

North Carolina vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
Most iconic local food itemPulled Pork BBQHam
Most popular meat dishEastern BBQ RibsFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsHalf-smoke
Most popular vegan foodSmoked BBQ JackfruitAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • 12 Bones Smokehouse
  • Merritt's
  • Lantern
  • The Shack
  • L'Auberge Chez Francois
  • Mama J's
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 North Carolina to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Virginia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Half-smoke to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Smoked BBQ Jackfruit 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 North Carolina eateries like 12 Bones Smokehouse, Merritt's, and Lantern. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Shack, L'Auberge Chez Francois, and Mama J's.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Virginia

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman, ColonialColonial, Cape Cod
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 listingLarge yards, open floor plansHistoric homes, proximity to amenities
  • The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and open floor plans, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than North Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
  • Virginia has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
  • Virginia housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in North Carolina with a median home price of $385,780 compared to North Carolina’s $329,225.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
  • Rent in Virginia is 5.67% more expensive than in North Carolina.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Virginia

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
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 DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°/66Β°86Β°/65Β°
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°/30Β°48Β°/28Β°
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"44"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"10-20"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Virginia. Virginia gets 4% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
  • Virginia has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Virginia.
  • The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 1 degree warmer than North Carolina.
  • The average winter lows in Virginia are 2 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Virginia

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
Avg. Household Income$67,481$85,873
Cost of Living Index95.8596.6
State Income Tax5.25%2% - 5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.86%0.80%
Avg. Sales Tax6.98%5.3% - 7%
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Finance, ManufacturingGovernment, Agriculture, Tech
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNoticeableModerate
HomelessnessManageableLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 27% more than in North Carolina
  • The COLI in Virginia is 1% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
  • The state income tax in VA is 2% to 5.75% compared to 5.25% in NC
  • The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate in North Carolina
  • The poverty level is moderate in Virginia compared to noticeable in North Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in North Carolina and low in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Virginia

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
Political Make-upSwing state, leans slightly RepublicanSwing state, recently leans Democratic
Local PoliticsMix of conservative and liberal depending on areaTends to be more liberal in urban areas, conservative in rural
ReligionChristianity predominant, with a mix of other faithsChristianity dominant, but with a significant presence of other religions
  • North Carolina tends to lean swing state and leans slightly Republican in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as swing state and recently leans Democratic
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant but with a significant presence of other religions
  • North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant with a mix of other faiths

Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Virginia

ComparisonNorth CarolinaVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMorrisville Elementary (Morrisville)
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte)
Eastover Elementary (Charlotte)
Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary (Vienna)
Westbriar Elementary (Vienna)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte)
Community House Middle School (Charlotte)
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte)
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Cooper Middle School (McLean)
Rocky Run Middle School (Chantilly)
Top 3 High School SchoolsNorth Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
Myers Park High School (Charlotte)
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Top 3 private high schoolsCharlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Ravenscroft School (Raleigh)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Madeira School (McLean)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCary Academy (Cary)
Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Flint Hill School (Oakton)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
The Steward School (Richmond)
Top 3 School DistrictsChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools

How Much Do North Carolina to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 155 miles from North Carolina to Virginia will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,097300 ft3$3.66
1 Bedroom$1,626450 ft3$3.61
2 Bedrooms$2,678750 ft3$3.57
3 Bedrooms$3,8811100 ft3$3.53
4 Bedrooms$5,5781600 ft3$3.49
5+ Bedrooms$6,1981800 ft3$3.44

Top North Carolina to Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for North Carolina 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
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details