Costs of Moving to Virginia

So you’re considering a move to Virginia but want to know – how much does it cost? As you probably guessed, moving isn’t cheap, but having an idea of average moving costs can help you budget and plan. Let’s explore what’s involved so you can make an informed decision.

Average Cost of Moving to Virginia

The cost of moving to Virginia can vary widely depending on factors like the size of your move, distance traveled, services required, and so on. But here are some average price ranges you can expect to pay:

• Studio apartment will cost around $380 on average
• 1-bedroom move averages around $530
• 2-bedroom home expect to pay $859
• 3-bedroom home averages around $1,989
• 4-bedroom house averages around $2,282 
• For extra large 5+ bedroom homes plan on a moving bill of $3,513 or more

As you can see, your exact moving costs depend heavily on the quantity of stuff you’re bringing along.

Interstate Moving

Moving into Virginia from out of state varies based on origin and distance. Here are some average interstate moving costs:

• California to Virginia – $3,550 – $6,272
• New York to Virginia – $1,664 – $3,923
• Illinois to Virginia – $2,126 – $4,644
• Texas to Virginia – $2,675 – $5,433
• Arizona to Virginia – $3,203 – $5,700

As you can see, moving into Virginia can cost anywhere from around $1,600 for shorter East Coast moves up to $6,000+ coming from farther West or South.

What factors affect the cost of moving to Virginia?

While move size and distance are the two primary cost drivers, several other key factors impact your total moving expenses:

• Type of move – The service model you choose (DIY, professional movers, container shipping, freight trucking, etc) plays a major role in price. Hiring movers costs vastly more than doing it yourself. The amount of effort vs money you put in depends on your priorities.
• Additional services – Packing/unpacking assistance, specialty item moving (pianos, art), furniture disassembly/reassembly, storage and more can all add significantly to your bill. While time-saving, expect each add-on task to add hundreds or more to the final price.
• Time of Season– Summertime (June through August) is peak season in the moving industry meaning higher demand leads to 20-30% higher rates. For cost savings, aim to move during the fall, winter or spring months instead.
• Accessibility challenges – Moving out of/into apartments or higher floors without sufficient elevators almost always requires additional equipment like long dollies and ramps. This specialized moving gear costs extra to rent and maneuver, bumping up your total spend.
• Insurance needs – Replacement value protection, accident provisions and other specialty policies through moving companies provide more financial coverage but contribute incrementally to the bottom line price.

Evaluate each of these factors carefully as you budget and plan! Addressing them with movers upfront ensures no hidden surprises.

Choosing a Mover for your Virginia Relocation

When it comes time select a moving company for your relocation, you have several options depending on your budget:

Hire professional movers

This option requires the least physical effort, but comes at a higher cost. Still, pro movers handle all aspects of safely transporting your belongings. Below are top rated movers based on service, reviews and affordability:

• Air Van Moving – 20 years experience
• North American Van Lines – Equipped for complex moves
• Safeway Moving – Full service long distance moves
• Mayzlin Relocation – Family owned & affordable
• JK Moving Services – High-end white glove service

Rent a moving truck

In a DIY move, you handle packing and moving everything yourself while saving money. You can rent trucks from companies like U-Haul or Penske. Just be prepared for lots of heavy lifting!

Get a moving container

Portable containers let you pack at your own pace, then movers transport the container. Pricing is midway between DIY truck rental and professional movers.

Use freight shipping

You can also ship your belongings via semi trucks and freight trailers. This can work well for large, long-haul moves when you have lots of stuff.

Other Important Considerations for a Virginia Move

When organizing your move, keep these additional moving requirements and variables related to living in Virginia in mind:

Licensing

• In Virginia all moving companies must register with the state as carriers and obtain proper credentials. This is meant to ensure quality assurance and accountability.

Insurance considerations

• Released Value Protection offered by movers covers just 60 cents per pound per damaged item. For full-value protection, discuss supplemental insurance with prospective moving companies.

Virginia’s climate and weather patterns

• The state experiences humid, hot summers plus milder winters. Mountain areas get cold and snowy while southeastern coastal regions are warmer year-round. Moving during spring or fall means favorable weather for your move.

Cost of Living Analysis for Virginia

Beyond moving costs, another key consideration is how affordable it will be reside in Virginia long term:

Housing – rent and home values

• You can expect to pay a median monthly rent of $1,257 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Virginia, compared to $1,315 nationwide.
• To buy property in Virginia the current median home price is $373k which is moderately higher than other states.

Utilities expectations

• Budget $400-500 monthly for electricity, internet, cell phone and other recurring home services.

Benchmark vs national average

• Overall Virginia is essentially on par with national averages for cost of living – not significantly higher or lower.

Comfortable income requirement

• To live comfortably in Virginia while affording housing, utilities, groceries and other needs, you’ll want a gross household income of around $71,500 annually.

Key Takeaways – How Much Does It Cost To Move To Virginia?

So in summary, key things to keep in mind are:

• Local move costs range from $380 for a studio to $3,500+ for a large house
• Expect an average bill of $1,600 to $6,000 for an interstate move
• Size of move, distance traveled and services impact price
• Hire professional movers or rent trucks for a DIY move
• Cost of living like housing isn’t too far off national averages

Hope this gives you a realistic perspective on potential moving costs as you consider relocating to the state of Virginia!