Virginia to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 866 mile interstate move from Virginia to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs lower natural disaster risk), food & health (like Ham, specifically Smithfield Ham vs St. Louis Style Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Ham, specifically Smithfield Ham and Barbecue (BBQ) Pork, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis Style Pizza & Smoked Brisket
- Missouri housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Virginia
- Rent in Missouri is 27.08% more affordable than in Virginia
- Moving from Virginia to Missouri will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Virginia to Missouri movers is ARS Movers
Virginia to Missouri Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Missouri
- Hurricane risks
- Higher cost of living
- Dense traffic
- Crowded schools
- Lower natural disaster risk
- Affordable housing
- More open roads
- Less crowded schools
- Fewer historical sites
- No ocean beaches
- Smaller job market
- Fewer dining options
- Rich history
- Beach access
- Thriving job market
- Diverse dining scene
Pros of moving from Virginia to Missouri
- Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to lower natural disaster risk
- Look forward to moving away from higher cost of living and moving to Missouri with affordable housing
- Swap the dense traffic of Virginia for more open roads in Missouri
- Get ready for less crowded schools in Missouri
Cons of moving from Virginia to Missouri
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical sites in Missouri
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of no ocean beaches
- Time to bid farewell to the thriving job market and get used to the smaller job market in Missouri
- Swap the diverse dining scene for fewer dining options
Virginia vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Ham, specifically Smithfield Ham | St. Louis Style Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue (BBQ) Pork | Smoked Brisket |
Most popular street food item | Peanuts | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable-based Soul Food | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Virginia to Missouri, you will be trading the iconic ham, specifically Smithfield ham of Virginia for the equally delicious St. Louis style pizza of Missouri. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful barbecue (BBQ) pork and sumptuous peanuts, Missouri residents know they have tasty smoked brisket and toasted ravioli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the vegetable-based soul food they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ jackfruit of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, LβAuberge Provencale, and Restaurant Eve. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Blueberry Hill, and Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, Missouri shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Missouri compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Missouri.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Missouri
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic properties, proximity to DC | Spacious yards, affordable living |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Missouri.
- Compared to Virginia's real estate listings, which commonly reference historic properties and proximity to DC, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and affordable living.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Missouri is more walkable than Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Missouri is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
- Missouri has an equally urban feel to Virginia.
- Missouri housing costs are 37% less expensive than they are in Virginia with a median home price of $243,216 compared to Virginiaβs $385,780.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
- Rent in Missouri is 27.08% more affordable than in Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Missouri
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/66Β°F | 89Β°F/67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F/29Β°F | 41Β°F/24Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 42" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 10" | 20" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Missouri. Missouri gets 5% more sunshine days than Virginia.
- Missouri has higher 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 tornadoes and floods in Missouri.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 4 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Missouri. Missouri receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Missouri
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $85,873 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.6 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 0.9% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.3% | 4.225% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Defense, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Prosperous | Stable |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 25% less than those in Virginia
- The COLI in Missouri will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
- The state income tax in MO is 5.4% compared to 5.75% in VA
- The affluence in Missouri is stable compared to prosperous in Virginia
- The poverty level is higher in Missouri compared to moderate in Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Missouri
Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Missouri
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State, leaning Democratic in recent elections | Traditionally leans Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers; conservative rural areas | Conservative across most of the state, with liberal pockets |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious communities in urban areas | Majority Christian, with evangelical Protestantism being notably influential |
- Virginia tends to lean swing state, leaning Democratic in its political climate
- Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally leaning Republican
- Missouri's religious environment can be described as majority Christian with evangelical Protestantism being notably influential
- Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities in urban areas
Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Missouri
Comparison | Virginia | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Virginia Virginia Tech William & Mary | University of Missouri Missouri State University Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Arlington Science Focus School - Arlington Stenwood Elementary - Vienna Lucketts Elementary - Leesburg | Conway Elementary - Ladue Lincoln Elementary - St. Charles Wilsonβs Creek 5-6 Intermediate - Springfield |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School - Falls Church Rocky Run Middle School - Chantilly Frost Middle School - Fairfax | Ladue Middle School - St. Louis Pembroke Hill Middle School - Kansas City Wildwood Middle School - Wildwood |
Top 3 High Schools | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology - Alexandria McLean High School - McLean Langley High School - McLean | Clayton High School - Clayton Ladue Horton Watkins High School - St. Louis Marquette High School - Chesterfield |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School - St. Louis Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School - St. Louis The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City | The Madeira School - McLean Episcopal High School - Alexandria Potomac School - McLean |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pembroke Hill School - Kansas City John Burroughs School - St. Louis Christian Brothers College High School - St. Louis | Nansemond-Suffolk Academy - Suffolk Norfolk Academy - Norfolk Collegiate School - Richmond |
Top 3 School Districts | Fairfax County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools | Clayton School District Kirkwood R-VII School District Parkway C-2 School District |
How Much Do Virginia to Missouri Movers Cost?
Moving 866 miles from Virginia to Missouri 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 Virginia to Missouri Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Missouri movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.