Things to know before moving from Massachusetts to Virginia Beach, VA

Cost of living: Massachusetts vs Virginia Beach, VA

Massachusetts Virginia Beach
Average rent cost $1,588 $1,950
Average home value $623,131 $402,391
Average income (per capita) $96,505 $81,810
Unemployment rate 4% 5%
State income tax 9% 6%
  • Rent is about 23% more expensive in Virginia Beach than in Massachusetts.
  • Home prices are about 35% lower in Virginia Beach than in Massachusetts.
  • The average income is about 15% lower in Virginia Beach than in Massachusetts.
  • Virginia Beach has a higher unemployment rate than Massachusetts by about 23%.
  • Income taxes are 36% lower in Virginia Beach than in Massachusetts.

How life is different in Virginia Beach from Massachusetts

Virginia Beach Massachusetts
Population 457,672 7,001,399
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Democratic 61.5-36.3
Summer high 88ºF 82ºF
Winter low 32ºF 16ºF
Annual rain 47" 49"
Annual snow 6" 47"
Crime index 42.0 13.92
  • The population of Virginia Beach is approximately 93% lower than the population of Massachusetts.
  • In the last presidential election, Virginia Beach voted Democratic and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Virginia Beach is 88ºF and in Massachusetts, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Virginia Beach reaches the temperature of 32ºF and Massachusetts gets down to 16ºF.
  • You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Virginia Beach vs 49 inches of rainfall in Massachusetts.
  • In Virginia Beach, it snows about 6 inches annually vs 47 inches of snow in Massachusetts.
  • Virginia Beach has a higher crime rate than Massachusetts with a crime index of 42.0 vs 13.92.

Things to do in Virginia Beach

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Virginia Beach.

Museums in Virginia Beachtoggle

  • Military Aviation Museum
  • Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
  • Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Ferry Plantation House
  • Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum
  • Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
  • Lynnhaven House
  • Tomstone Animation Art Gallery & Studios
  • Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Galleries

Parks in Virginia Beachtoggle

  • Neptune's Park
  • Mount Trashmore Park
  • Bayville Farms Park
  • Great Neck Park
  • Munden Point Park
  • Lotus Garden Park
  • Lynnhaven Colony Park
  • Jerrassic Park

Sports Teams in Virginia Beachtoggle

  • Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two)

Universities in Virginia Beachtoggle

  • Atlantic University
  • Regent University
  • Virginia Wesleyan University

Other considerations when moving to Virginia Beach, VA

  • Weather: Virginia Beach has winters that are cool with light snowfall. Summers are hot and humid. The wettest season is summer, specifically July to early September, with August being the single wettest month.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Virginia. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Massachusetts to Virginia Beach take?

The time frame for a move from Massachusetts to Virginia Beach, VA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Massachusetts, the longer the drive time to Virginia Beach will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Virginia Beach from Massachusetts can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Massachusetts to Virginia Beach?

Because of the 564-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Massachusetts to Virginia Beach as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Virginia Beach, VA?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 32ºF, most people move to Virginia Beach from Massachusetts during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Virginia Beach during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources