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Virginia to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 157 mile interstate move from Virginia to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like traffic congestion vs smoother commutes), food & health (like Ham vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and Beef Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern NC Barbecue
  • North Carolina housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in North Carolina is 5.36% more affordable than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Virginia to North Carolina movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to North Carolina

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Traffic congestion
  • Higher cost of living
  • Harsh winters
  • Busy metropolitan areas
  • Limited beach access
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Smoother commutes
  • Affordable housing
  • Milder climate
  • Quieter towns
  • Coastal lifestyle

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Less historical roots
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Fewer local colleges
  • Less culinary variety
  • Limited cultural events
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Established job market
  • Renowned universities
  • Diverse restaurants
  • Vibrant arts scene

Pros of moving from Virginia to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to traffic congestion and hello to smoother commutes
  • Look forward to moving away from a higher cost of living and moving to North Carolina with affordable housing
  • Swap the harsh winters of Virginia for a milder climate in North Carolina
  • Get ready for quieter towns in North Carolina

Cons of moving from Virginia to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historical roots in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of an established job market and have to settle with the con of fewer job opportunities
  • Time to bid farewell to renowned universities and get used to fewer local colleges in North Carolina
  • Swap diverse restaurants for less culinary variety

Virginia vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemHamPulled pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishBeef BrisketEastern NC Barbecue
Most popular street food itemPeanutsHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Mama J's Kitchen
  • Levante's
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Brewery Bhavana
  • Chef & the Farmer
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic ham of Virginia for the equally delicious pulled pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful beef brisket and sumptuous peanuts, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC barbecue and hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the grain bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ jackfruit of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Mama J's Kitchen, and Levante's. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Brewery Bhavana, and Chef & the Farmer.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and North Carolina

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodCraftsman, Colonial
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 Washington D.C., Historic landmarksAccess to national parks, Coastal living
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to Washington D.C. and historic landmarks, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like access to national parks and coastal living.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Carolina is less walkable than Virginia.
  • North Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Virginia.
  • North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 5.36% more affordable than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
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, FloodsHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityModerateModerate to Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6488/66
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48/2950/30
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4450
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10-205-10
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 4% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • North Carolina 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
  • The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and North Carolina

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$85,873$67,481
Cost of Living Index96.695.85
State Income Tax2% to 5.75%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.82%0.77%
Avg. Sales Tax5.3% to 7%6.75% to 7.5%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, AgricultureAgriculture, Finance, Manufacturing
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 21% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 2% to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to prosperous in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Virginia and moderate in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. North Carolina

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLeans Democratic in recent electionsSwing state, varies by election
Local PoliticsModerate, with a mix of conservative and liberal areasConservative in rural areas, liberal in urban centers
ReligionDiverse, with Christianity being predominantPrimarily Christian, with notable Baptist and Methodist communities
  • Virginia tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state that varies by election
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with notable Baptist and Methodist communities
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christianity being predominant

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to North Carolina

ComparisonVirginiaNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNuckols Farm Elementary (Henrico)
Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Westbriar Elementary School (Vienna)
Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte)
Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville)
Davis Drive Elementary (Cary)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Cooper Middle School (McLean)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill)
Ligon Middle School (Raleigh)
Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte)
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
Ardrey Kell High School (Charlotte)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Potomac School (McLean)
St. Christopher's School (Richmond)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Ravenscroft School (Raleigh)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School (Oakton)
The Madeira School (McLean)
Collegiate School (Richmond)
Cary Academy (Cary)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Providence Day School (Charlotte)
Top 3 School DistrictsLoudoun County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

How Much Do Virginia to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 157 miles from Virginia to North Carolina 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$1,098300 ft3$3.66
1 Bedroom$1,628450 ft3$3.62
2 Bedrooms$2,681750 ft3$3.57
3 Bedrooms$3,8851100 ft3$3.53
4 Bedrooms$5,5831600 ft3$3.49
5+ Bedrooms$6,2041800 ft3$3.45

Top Virginia to North Carolina Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to North Carolina

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