Washington to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to Virginia

ConsWashington

• Higher cost of living
• Overcast weather
• Earthquake risk
• Heavy traffic in Seattle

ProsVirginia

• Lower cost of living
• Sunnier climate
• Less earthquake risk
• Less congestion in cities

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Virginia

• Fewer large parks
• Less tech job market
• Less coffee culture
• Fewer major events

Washington

• Beautiful national parks
• Tech industry hub
• Rich coffee culture
• Diverse cultural events

Pros of moving from Washington to Virginia

• Say goodbye to higher cost of living and hello to lower cost of living
• Look forward to moving away from overcast weather and moving to Virginia with sunnier climate
• Swap the earthquake risk of Washington for less earthquake risk in Virginia
• Get ready for less congestion in cities in Virginia

Cons of moving from Washington to Virginia

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful national parks in Washington to live with fewer large parks in Virginia
• You'll lose out on the pro of being a tech industry hub and have to settle for the con of a less tech job market
• Time to bid farewell to rich coffee culture and get used to less coffee culture in Virginia
• Swap diverse cultural events for fewer major events

Washington vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Washington to Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Ham (Smithfield) of Virginia. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Grilled Salmon and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, Virginia residents know they have tasty Country Ham Biscuits and Oysters to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Cauliflower Wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Chickpea Salad of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, The HerbFarm, and How to Cook a Wolf. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like L'Auberge Chez François, Husk, and The Inn at Little Washington.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and Virginia

• The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
• Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green space and tech-friendly homes, Virginia's real estate listings often highlight features like historic landmarks and proximity to Washington and D.C.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Virginia is less walkable than Washington.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Virginia is less bike-friendly than Washington.
• Virginia has less of an urban feel than Washington.
• Virginia housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased by 42% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
• Rent in Virginia is 7.17% more affordable than in Washington.

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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to Virginia. Virginia gets 35% more sunshine days than Washington.
• Virginia has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
• Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Virginia.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 12 degrees warmer than in Washington.
• The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Virginia. Virginia receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and Virginia

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 6% less than in Washington
• The COLI in Virginia is 7% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
• The state income tax in VA is 2.0 - 5.75 compared to 0.0 - 9.9 in WA
• The affluence in Virginia is moderate compared to moderately high in Washington
• The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate in Washington
• In terms of homelessness, it is high in Washington and moderate in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. Virginia

• Washington tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
• Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
• Virginia's religious environment can be described as a more diverse religious landscape, with higher attendance
• Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to Virginia

How Much Do Washington to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 2,735 miles from Washington to Virginia will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.