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Virginia to New York Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 612 mile interstate move from Virginia to New York? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs New York across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs milder summer climate), food & health (like Ham vs Bagel with Lox), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, modern high-rise), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and BBQ Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Bagel with Lox & Beef Pastrami Sandwich
  • New York housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in New York is 36.51% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to New York will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to New York movers is JP Urban Moving

Virginia to New York Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to New York

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Limited public transit
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Fewer job opportunities
ProsNew York iconNew York
  • Milder summer climate
  • Extensive public transit
  • Vibrant cultural scene
  • Diverse job market

New York iconNew York
  • Higher cost of living
  • Faster-paced lifestyle
  • Harsh winters
  • High population density
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Lower cost of living
  • Slower pace of life
  • Mild winters
  • Less crowded cities

Pros of moving from Virginia to New York

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a milder summer climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to New York with extensive public transit
  • Swap the less cultural diversity of Virginia for a vibrant cultural scene in New York
  • Get ready for a diverse job market in New York

Cons of moving from Virginia to New York

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Virginia to live with the higher cost of living in New York
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a slower pace of life and have to settle for the con of a faster-paced lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to the harsh winters in New York
  • Swap less crowded cities for a high population density

Virginia vs. New York: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
Most iconic local food itemHamBagel with Lox
Most popular meat dishBBQ Pulled PorkBeef Pastrami Sandwich
Most popular street food itemVirginia PeanutsHot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodSweet Potato SoupSeitan Roast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L’Auberge Chez Francois
  • Mama J’s Kitchen
  • Katz’s Delicatessen
  • Dominique Ansel Bakery
  • Per Se
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Virginia to New York, you will be trading the iconic Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Bagel with Lox of New York. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ Pulled Pork and sumptuous Virginia Peanuts, New York residents know they have tasty Beef Pastrami Sandwich and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Potato Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Roast of New York. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L’Auberge Chez Francois, and Mama J’s Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in New York, don't wait too long before making your way to New York's acclaimed eateries like Katz’s Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and New York

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Modern High-Rise
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 listingSpacious yards, Quiet neighborhoodsProximity to public transit, Views
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Modern High-Rise architecture typical of New York.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, New York real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to public transit and views.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New York is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New York is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • New York has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • New York housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $460,812 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New York have increased by 36% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in New York is 36.51% more expensive than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
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, FloodsSnowstorms, Hurricanes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86/6682/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48/2939/26
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4447.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1425
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to New York. New York gets 9% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • New York has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in New York.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New York is 4 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New York. New York receives 3.2 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and New York

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
Avg. Household Income$85,873$79,557
Cost of Living Index96.6102.8
State Income Tax5.75%6.85%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%1.30%
Avg. Sales Tax5.30%4.00%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Agriculture, GovernmentFinance, Healthcare, Media
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessLowHigh
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New York tend to earn about 7% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in New York will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in NY is 6.85% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in New York is high compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is high in New York compared to moderate in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and high in New York

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. New York

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly conservativeLiberal, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsVaries; rural areas more conservative, urban areas more liberalDominantly liberal, with strong Democratic presence in cities
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious communities in urban areas.Highly diverse; Christianity leads but with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths' presence.
  • Virginia tends to lean mixed and leans slightly conservative in its political climate
  • New York, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal, especially in urban areas
  • New York's religious environment can be described as highly diverse; Christianity leads but with significant Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths' presence
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with diverse religious communities in urban areas

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to New York

ComparisonVirginiaNew York
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
New York University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Nottingham Elementary School (Arlington)
Lucketts Elementary School (Leesburg)
PS 77 Lower Lab School (New York)
Success Academy Charter School - Bronx 1 (Bronx)
Anderson School (New York)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Rocky Run Middle School (Chantilly)
Henley Middle School (Crozet)
East Side Middle School (New York)
New Explorations into Science
Technology and Math School (New York)
Baccalaureate School for Global Education (Queens)
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Stuyvesant High School (New York)
Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)
Staten Island Technical High School (Staten Island)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Madeira School (McLean)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
St. Anne's-Belfield School (Charlottesville)
Horace Mann School (Bronx)
Trinity School (New York)
Collegiate School (New York)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School (Oakton)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Brearley School (New York)
Dalton School (New York)
Spence School (New York)
Top 3 School DistrictsFalls Church City Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Great Neck Public Schools
Jericho Union Free School District
Scarsdale Union Free School District

How Much Do Virginia to New York Movers Cost?

Moving 612 miles from Virginia to New York 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/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

Top Virginia to New York Movers

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

TOP PICK
JP Urban Moving featured image

JP Urban Moving

Best moving company overall for Virginia to New York

9.85/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Metropolis Moving featured image

Metropolis Moving

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details