Factors affecting the cost of moving from VA to NHtoggle

There are many factors that influence Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from Virginia to New Hampshire will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in Virginia is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from VA to NH

If you’re moving to New Hampshire from Virginia, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Virginia vs. New Hampshire

Virginia New Hampshire
Average rent cost $1,440 $1,336
Average home cost $392,682 $478,955
Average income (per capita) $87,249 $90,845
Cost of Living Index 0 100
Unemployment rate 2.9% 2.1%
Average Sales Tax 5.73% 0.0%
State Income Tax 5.75% 4.0%
  • Rent is about 7% less expensive in New Hampshire than in Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 22% higher in New Hampshire than in Virginia.
  • The average income is about 4% higher in New Hampshire than in Virginia.
  • Cost of living is inf% lower in New Hampshire than in Virginia.
  • New Hampshire has a lower unemployment rate than Virginia by about 28%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in New Hampshire than in Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 30% lower in New Hampshire than in Virginia.

How life is different in New Hampshire vs. Virginia

New Hampshire Virginia
Population 1,402,054 8,715,698
Political leaning Democratic 50.8-48.1 Democratic 52-48
Summer high 80ºF 87ºF
Winter low 9ºF 25ºF
Annual rain 46" 44"
Annual snow 68" 14"
Crime index 11.37 19.3
  • The population of New Hampshire is approximately 84% lower than the population of Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, New Hampshire voted Democratic and Virginia voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New Hampshire is 80ºF and in Virginia, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New Hampshire reaches the temperature of 9ºF and Virginia gets down to 25ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in New Hampshire versus 44 inches of rainfall in Virginia.
  • In New Hampshire, it snows about 68 inches annually versus 14 inches of snow in Virginia.
  • New Hampshire has a lower crime rate than Virginia with a crime index of 11.37 vs. 19.3.

Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. New Hampshire

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New Hampshire compared to Virginia.

Pros of living in Virginia Pros of living in New Hampshire
Strong economy Natural beauty
Beautiful scenery Tranquil
Abundance of outdoor activities Ample economic opportunity
Enjoyable four season weather No sales tax
Strong military presence Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Virginia vs. New Hampshire

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Virginia for New Hampshire.

Cons of living in Virginia Cons of living in New Hampshire
High cost of living Long harsh winters
Unpredictable weather Limited diversity
Bad traffic congestion Heavy traffic
Lack of public transportation Few urban amenities
Air noise pollution High cost of living

Other things to consider for your Virginia to New Hampshire movetoggle

  • Weather: New Hampshire has warm, humid summers, and long, cold, and snowy winters. Winters are cold and snowy throughout the state, and especially severe in the northern and mountainous areas. Average annual snowfall ranges from 60 inches to over 100 inches across the state.
  • 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: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is the agency tasked with regulating and overseeing movers that offer relocation services within the state. If you’ve already moved and had a dispute with your moving company, they may be able to help resolve the issue, but you’ll need to file a formal complaint first. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New Hampshire moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: New Hampshire 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New Hampshire. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for a cost-free, minimal coverage option from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in New Hampshiretoggle

While you’re in New Hampshire, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Mount Washington Auto Road
  • Conway Scenic Railroad
  • Castle in the Clouds
  • Hampton Beach
  • Lakes Region
  • Mount Monadnock
  • Polar Caves Park
  • Kancamagus Highway
  • Franconia Notch State Park
  • Winnipesaukee
  • Strawbery Banke Museum
  • Story Land
  • Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
  • Clark’s Bears
  • Isles of Shoals
  • Prescott Park
  • Currier Museum of Art
  • Santa’s Village
  • Attitash Mountain Resort
  • Bretton Woods Mountain Resort

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Virginia to New Hampshire?toggle

Hiring a full-service Virginia moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Virginia to New Hampshire?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Virginia to New Hampshire separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Virginia to New Hampshire?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Virginia to New Hampshire are the amazing upsides of living in New Hampshire such as natural beauty and tranquil.

Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or New Hampshire?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Virginia than in New Hampshire. Housing is more affordable in Virginia, with average rent about 8% less and home prices 18% lower than in New Hampshire. However, taxes are lower in New Hampshire, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Virginia residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Hampshire?toggle

You should make approximately $79,795 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New Hampshire. The cost of living in New Hampshire is approximately $2,853 per month for an individual and $7,000 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Hampshire you live For example, larger cities like Manchester and Nashua will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources