NY to VA Moving Specialists

New York to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 612 mile interstate move from New York to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Bagel with Lox vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (art deco, brownstone vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bagel with Lox and New York Strip Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia Ham & BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Virginia housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New York
  • Rent in Virginia is 26.75% more affordable than in New York
  • Moving from New York to Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended New York to Virginia movers is JP Urban Moving

Top New York to Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for New York to Virginia

9.86/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Flex Moving and Storage featured image

Flex Moving and Storage

9.70/10
Exceptional

New York to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Virginia

ConsNew York iconNew York
  • High living costs
  • Noisy urban environment
  • Stressful daily commute
  • Limited space
  • Harsh winters
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Lower cost of living
  • Quieter communities
  • Shorter commutes
  • More spacious living
  • Milder winters

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Less nightlife
  • Limited theater options
  • Fewer international cuisines
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Slower pace
New York iconNew York
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Broadway shows
  • Diverse dining experiences
  • Cultural diversity
  • 24/7 city life

Pros of moving from New York to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to a lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from a noisy urban environment and moving to Virginia with quieter communities
  • Swap the stressful daily commute of New York for shorter commutes in Virginia
  • Get ready for more spacious living in Virginia

Cons of moving from New York to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant nightlife in New York to live with less nightlife in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Broadway shows and have to settle for the con of limited theater options
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse dining experiences and get used to fewer international cuisines in Virginia
  • Swap cultural diversity for less cultural diversity

New York vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
Most iconic local food itemBagel with LoxVirginia Ham
Most popular meat dishNew York Strip SteakBBQ Pulled Pork
Most popular street food itemHot DogsSoft Shell Crab Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Le Diplomate
  • 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 New York to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Bagel with Lox of New York for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful New York Strip Steak and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Pulled Pork and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se. 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, Le Diplomate, and Mama J's Kitchen.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Virginia

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleArt Deco, BrownstoneColonial, Craftsman
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 listingProximity to subway, Rooftop accessYard space, Proximity to nature
  • The Art Deco and Brownstone architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and rooftop access, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like yard space and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Virginia is less walkable than New York.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Virginia is less bike-friendly than New York.
  • Virginia has less of an urban feel than New York.
  • Virginia housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to New York’s $460,812.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
  • Rent in Virginia is 26.75% more affordable than in New York.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Virginia

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
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 DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesHurricanes, Earthquakes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/62Β°F87Β°F/67Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)38Β°F/26Β°F48Β°F/30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.944.3
Annual Snowfall (Inches)25.814.7
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Virginia. Virginia gets 8% fewer sunshine days than New York.
  • Virginia has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in New York, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and earthquakes in Virginia.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 5 degrees warmer than in New York.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in New York.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 5.6 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Virginia

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
Avg. Household Income$79,557$85,873
Cost of Living Index102.896.6
State Income Tax4 - 8.82%2 - 5.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.4%0.8%
Avg. Sales Tax8.52%5.3%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Media, HealthcareTechnology, Government, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 8% more than in New York
  • The cost of living index in Virginia will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in New York
  • The state income tax in VA is 2 - 5.75% compared to 4 - 8.82% in NY
  • The affluence in Virginia is moderate compared to high in New York
  • The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate in New York
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New York and low in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Virginia

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticMixed, Leans Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive policiesModerate to conservative policies
ReligionDiverse religious landscapePredominantly Christian
  • New York tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and leans Republican
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
  • New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape

Education Guide When Moving from New York to Virginia

ComparisonNew YorkVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)NYU
Cornell University
Columbia University
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsSuccess Academy Charter School-Bronx 1
Ps 77 Lower Lab School
Anderson School (all in NYC)
St. Christopher's School
Richmond; Nuckols Farm Elementary
Henrico; Arlington Science Focus School
Arlington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsAnderson School
NYC Lab Middle School
East Side Middle School (all in NYC)
Longfellow Middle School
McLean; George H. Moody Middle School
Henrico; Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria
Top 3 High SchoolsStuyvesant High School
Bronx High School of Science
Brooklyn Technical High School (all in NYC)
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Alexandria; McLean High School
McLean; Langley High School
McLean
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Chapin School
The Brearley School
Horace Mann School (all in NYC)
The Madeira School
McLean; The Potomac School
McLean; St. Christopher's School
Richmond
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Spence School
Collegiate School
Trinity School (all in NYC)
The Potomac School
McLean; St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
Alexandria; Norfolk Academy
Norfolk
Top 3 School DistrictsGreat Neck
Scarsdale
Jericho
Falls Church City
Loudoun County
Fairfax County

How Much Do New York to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 612 miles from New York to Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,317300 ft3$4.39
1 Bedroom$1,956450 ft3$4.35
2 Bedrooms$3,229750 ft3$4.31
3 Bedrooms$4,6891100 ft3$4.26
4 Bedrooms$6,7521600 ft3$4.22
5+ Bedrooms$7,5201800 ft3$4.18