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Virginia to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 2,376 mile interstate move from Virginia to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs mild summers), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and BBQ Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Boise River Steelhead Trout
  • Idaho housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Idaho is 11.74% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Idaho movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Idaho

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Humid summers
  • Higher cost of living
  • Busy traffic
  • Hurricane risks
  • Limited outdoor options
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Mild summers
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Minimal natural disasters
  • Expansive nature activities

Idaho iconIdaho
  • Less historical sites
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Geographically isolated
  • Limited dining choices
  • Smaller arts community
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Diverse culture
  • Proximity to D.C.
  • Renowned restaurants
  • Lively arts scene

Pros of moving from Virginia to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to mild summers
  • Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to Idaho with affordable housing
  • Swap the busy traffic of Virginia for less congestion in Idaho
  • Get ready for minimal natural disasters in Idaho

Cons of moving from Virginia to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse culture and have to settle with the con of less cultural diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to the proximity to D.C. and get used to being geographically isolated in Idaho
  • Swap renowned restaurants for limited dining choices

Virginia vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamIdaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishBBQ Pulled PorkBoise River Steelhead Trout
Most popular street food itemPeanut SoupFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodKale SaladWild Morel Mushroom Dish
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Lemaire
  • Mom's Apple Pie
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Barbacoa Grill
  • Trillium
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 Virginia to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ Pulled Pork and sumptuous Peanut Soup, Idaho residents know they have tasty Boise River Steelhead Trout and Finger Steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Morel Mushroom Dish of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lemaire, and Mom's Apple Pie. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, Barbacoa Grill, and Trillium.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Idaho

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodRanch, 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 listingHardwood floors, proximity to historical sitesViews, open space
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and proximity to historical sites, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like views and open space.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Idaho is less walkable than Virginia.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Idaho is less bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Idaho housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Idaho is 11.74% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
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, FloodsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVaries widely
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86Β°F/66Β°F85Β°F/50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F/29Β°F34Β°F/16Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4412-24
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1425-300
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Idaho. Idaho gets 2% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 1 degree colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 32 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Idaho

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
Avg. Household Income$85,873$72,785
Cost of Living Index96.691.5
State Income Tax5.75%6.93%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.63%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Government, EducationAgriculture, Mining, Tech
AffluenceModerateLow
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 15% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Idaho is 5% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in ID is 6.93% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Idaho is low compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to low poverty in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and low in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Idaho

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
Political Make-upSways between conservative & liberalPredominantly conservative
Local PoliticsCompetitive across districtsConsistently Republican-dominated
ReligionChristianity dominant, diverse religious communitiesChristianity dominant, with a strong presence of LDS Church
  • Virginia tends to lean between conservative and liberal in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as predominantly conservative
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a strong presence of the LDS Church
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Idaho

ComparisonVirginiaIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary (Vienna)
Lucketts Elementary (Leesburg)
Longfellow Elementary School (Boise)
White Pine Elementary (Boise)
Roosevelt Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsRachel Carson Middle School (Herndon)
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Henley Middle School (Crozet)
North Junior High School (Boise)
Lakes Middle School (Coeur d'Alene)
Fairmont Junior High School (Boise)
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
Langley High School (McLean)
McLean High School (McLean)
Boise High School (Boise)
Timberline High School (Boise)
Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private high schoolsThomas Jefferson School (Richmond)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Madeira School (McLean)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School (Oakton)
The Madeira School (McLean)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls)
Foothills School of Arts and Sciences (Boise)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District

How Much Do Virginia to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 2,376 miles from Virginia to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,550300 ft3$8.50
1 Bedroom$3,802450 ft3$8.45
2 Bedrooms$6,299750 ft3$8.40
3 Bedrooms$9,1831100 ft3$8.35
4 Bedrooms$13,2771600 ft3$8.30
5+ Bedrooms$14,8471800 ft3$8.25

Top Virginia to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Idaho

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

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details

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