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Moving to Virginia could be the best moving decision you ever make – and we mean it. You’ve probably heard that Virginia is for lovers, and everyone loves Virginia, now it’s time to find out why.
Virginia’s top-quality healthcare system, world-class education, low taxes, and low crime rates makes it one of the best places for families to call home in the United States.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the wealthiest states in America with a stable economy, and a booming job market. Virginia is home to the largest data center market in the country and the second highest concentration of tech workers with an economic output of more than $41 billion.
Virginia houses breathtaking mountains, beautiful beaches, and tons of hiking trails that makes outdoor scenes and experiences absolutely remarkable. If you’d love to live in a state where you’ll enjoy all four seasons in a year, and a lot more, moving to Virginia is perfect for you.
But if you’re yet to decide whether moving to Virginia is right for you or not, we’ve curated all the key facts you need to know about the state before making up your mind about moving.
A quick look at the population and other demographics of Virginia.
As per 2020 data, Virginia has a population of 8,654,542, which makes it the 12th most populous state in the country. Considering the land area of 42,774.2 sq mi, Virginia’s density is 206.7 sq mi.
Virginia has a humid and subtropical climate and the state is not too cold and not too hot. While in winter, the average temperature would be around 40 ??? in Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore. In summer, the average day temperature would be 70s F.
In the mountains, the average winter temperature will be 0°F and the average summer daytime temperature will touch 90 ???. Throughout the state, precipitation averages from about 32 to 44 inches. Snowfall averages from a few inches in the southeast to about 30 inches in the mountains.
The average one-way commute in Virginia takes 28.2 minutes. That's longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes. About 10.4% of commuters in the state have one-way travel times exceeding one hour. The shortest average commute time in the state is in Blacksburg.
Is moving to Virginia right for you or not? Lots of people move to Virginia every year for several reasons. Here we’ve listed the ten reasons why people are moving here
Virginia’s annual GDP is almost equal to Saudi Arabia and it has the highest number of counties and independent cities, fifteen, in the top one-hundred wealthiest jurisdictions in the United States based upon median income.
Virginia’s violent crime rate is the lowest of all states in the South Atlantic region. The state records 2.1 incidents per 1,000 people, which means the crime rate is 43% lower than the national average of 3.7. Virginia holds the second-lowest property crime rate in the South Atlantic region, and the crime rate is further dropping every year.
The proximity to Washington DC makes it easy for Virginia residents to commute daily to DC. A 95-mile drive from Richmond would take you to DC while many small towns are just 30 miles away from DC. This helps federal and government employees working in DC but residing in Virginia.
About 436, 500 techies call Virginia their home. The state has the second-largest concentration of IT employees in the US, after California. About 10% of the total workforce in Virginia is from the technology industry.
Virginia ranks 10th in healthcare and is home to some of the best hospitals in the country. This means patient safety, person-centered care, care coordination, effective treatment, healthy living, and care affordability are much higher than in almost every state in the US.
Retiring in Virginia means beautiful landscapes and reduced taxes. In addition, the crime rate is also dropping every year. The unlimited festivals and high-quality medical care are other reasons that prompt retirees to move to Virginia.
Virginia is a four-season state. August days can be - on average - hot and humid, while January days can be cold and dry. The warmth in the air in early Spring, and the chill in the air in the Fall, "feel" different from other seasons. That's the climate pattern.
Virginia is highly tax-friendly. While the social security retirement benefits are not taxed, other types of retirement income, such as pension income and retirement account withdrawals, are deductible up to $12,000 for seniors. Property and sales tax rates are also low.
Virginia is one of the wealthiest states and its economy is further growing. And the unemployment rate in the state is lower than the US national average. This proves you have got more chances to grab a job in Virginia than any neighboring state.
Virginia has got big cities as well as the highly developed countryside. And since the job opportunities are high even in the countryside, you can pick a small town as your new home.
Virginia ranks 12 in education and the state has got many top-notch schools and colleges.
Considering the pros and cons of moving to Virginia can help you decide if living in the state is right for you or not. Below are the pros and cons of living in Virginia to help you weigh your options carefully.:
Is moving to Virginia right for you or not? Consider the pros and cons of living in Virginia before making up your mind about moving to the Commonwealth state.
Virginia is home to several cities, states and communities. Since you’re considering moving to Virginia, living in the best places in the state should be your top priority. So, we’ve curated a list of the ten best places to stay in Virginia using data from Home Snacks to help you make the right choice.
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vienna | 16,488 | 3.3% | $711,100 |
| 2 | Falls Church | 14,067 | 3.9% | $757,300 |
| 3 | Bridgewater | 5,983 | 2.9% | $219,100 |
| 4 | Purcellville | 9,709 | 4.5% | $454,000 |
| 5 | Leesburg | 52,125 | 2.7% | $413,400 |
| 6 | Poquoson | 12,039 | 5.3% | $325,000 |
| 7 | Lexington | 7,110 | 4.2% | $203,600 |
| 8 | Alexandria | 156,505 | 3.3% | $557,000 |
| 9 | Virginia Beach | 450,135 | 4.9% | $274,300 |
| 10 | Fairfax | 23,865 | 4.0% | $533,300 |
Compare upto 6 Moving Quotes and save upto 65% on Your Move.
Start My Quote NowMoving to Virginia from anywhere in the United States is pretty easy. All you have to do is request for free moving quotes and you’ll get multiple quotes from professional long-distance moving companies near you.
The long-distance moving companies provide stress-free moving services and you have the freedom to opt for whatever company you want. You can also calculate your moving cost using this free Moving Cost Calculator to help you plan your moving budget.
The best part is all the moving companies have been carefully prescreened to ensure they provide the highest quality of service in the industry. Also, all the movers have the right insurance policies and are registered with the FMCSA as required by law and assigned with a USDOT number.
The cost of living in Virginia is 103.7. Based on a national average of 100, the cost of living in Virginia is slightly higher than the United States average.
The average rental cost for a home or apartment in Virginia is $1,250. The U.S. average is $1,470. Only 2% of apartments and homes in Virginia are open to rent. If you’re considering renting a home after moving to Virginia, you’ll enjoy your stay in the state. About 39.8% of the state’s population are renters.
Here’s a simple breakdown of Virginia’s rental cost:
The median home value in Virginia $296,604. About 70.2 percent of Virginians are homeowners, this means homes are highly affordable in the state.
If you’re considering buying a home before or after moving to Virginia, experts predict that the state’s home values will rise by 6.7% next year. Over the past year, home values in the state have increased by 4.8%.
Famous for being the internet capital of the world, Virginia is home to some of the leading industries in the country. Here’s a list of the leading industries in Virginia:
If you’re considering getting a new job or starting a new career after moving to Virginia. You may be interested in the top career options in the state. Here we’ve made a list of the fastest growing jobs in Virginia to give you a head start:
| Rank | Job Title | Growth % | Average Wage | Jobs in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational Therapy Assistant | 152.5% | $62,890 | 1,220 |
| 2 | Physical Therapy Aide | 147.8% | $24,950 | 1,670 |
| 3 | Home Health Aid | 145.9% | $22,640 | 14,490 |
| 4 | Nurse Practitioner | 143.5% | $101,060 | 5,050 |
| 5 | Physical Therapist Assistant | 142.6% | $54,990 | 2,980 |
| 6 | Physician Assistant | 140.1% | $94,810 | 2,900 |
| 7 | Interpreter And Translator | 139.9% | $74,130 | 3,330 |
| 8 | Statistician | 137.9% | $81,780 | 1,310 |
| 9 | Physical Therapist | 135.8% | $90,360 | 6,670 |
| 10 | Operations Analyst | 135.1% | $106,490 | 7,510 |
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Start My Quote NowHow much will you most likely earn for paid jobs if you move to Virginia? Your potential median income in Virginia depends on several things including your profession, employee, and the industry etc. We’ve curated a list of the average income in Virginia regardless of the profession or industry:
Since you’re considering moving to Virginia, odds are that you may be considering a new job after relocating. Your chances of getting a job in Virginia most likely depends on the unemployment rate in the state. Below is a simple breakdown of Virginia’s job market compared to the rest of the United States:
If you’re considering getting a new job after moving to Virginia, odds are that you might be hired by one of the leading employers in the state. Here’s a list of the top ten employers in Virginia, their locations and size of their workforce.:
| Rank | Company | City | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US Army | Alexandria | 500,000 |
| 2 | Dollar Tree | Chesapeake | 176,100 |
| 3 | Hilton Worldwide Holdings | McLean | 169,000 |
| 4 | DXC Technology | McLean | 130,000 |
| 5 | General Dynamics | Falls Church | 98,800 |
| 6 | Northrop Grumman | Falls Church | 85,000 |
| 7 | Brink’s | Richmond | 62,150 |
| 8 | Bechtel | Reston | 52,700 |
| 9 | Smithfield Foods | Smithfield | 50,200 |
| 10 | Capital One | McLean | 49,301 |
It takes 28.2 minutes to complete the average one-way commute time in Virginia. The national average for the same commuting time is 26.4 minutes. This is one of the key things you’ll have to consider before making up your mind about moving to Virginia.
Here’s a simple stat about how people commute to work in Virginia:
Taxes in Virginia aren’t rated among the highest in the entire United States. However, depending on where you’re moving from, you may end up paying a higher or lower amount in taxes by moving to Virginia. The good news is that most taxes in Virginia are lower than the national average.
Since you’re considering moving to Virginia, we’ve collated relevant information about key taxes in the state to help you make a fair comparison.
Virginia is known for so many reasons. While it’s impossible to list all of them, we’ve made a list of the ones the state is most known for. Since you’re considering moving to Virginia, here are the things the state is most known for:
The iconic slogan ‘Virginia is for Lovers’ was launched to promote tourism and has now become a daily jargon among Americans. The concept was to make the world know that Virginia has got everything you love. Mountain lovers, history lovers, beach lovers, and music lovers have got something in store in Virginia.
Since Virginia was the site of the first permanent English settlement, the state is known as “the birthplace of a nation.” West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and, even a part of Minnesota were all a part of the original Virginia territory.
Since the introduction of tobacco in 1619, Virginia has been one of the largest cultivators of tobacco and the state produces 28 percent of the flue-cured tobacco grown in the United States. Approximately 40 percent of that grown in Virginia is exported as a non-manufactured leaf. About 8 percent of all dark fire-cured tobacco is produced in the state.
The former plantation of George Washington, Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River is an American landmark. The mansion was the residence of the first president till his death. Mount Vernon is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Virginia is nicknamed as ‘Mother of presidents’ as 8 US presidents, including the first 5 were born here.
The presidents born in Virginia are:
The American Civil War (1861-1865) began after Virginia and ten other states in the southern United States seceded from the Union and about half of the battles were fought in Virginia.
The first recorded Thanksgiving occurred in Virginia after King James gifted 8,000-acres of land to Virginia Company in 1619 when it sailed the Good Ship Margaret with 35 settlers. The land is the current site of Berkeley Plantation.
The Blue Ridge Mountains form a part of the Appalachian Mountains range and are noted for having a bluish color when seen from a distance. With 106,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, 300 miles of hiking trails, and 100 miles of trout streams, Blue Ridge is a perfect scenic paradise for a holiday.
Naval Station Norfolk is a major base for the US Atlantic Command, US Atlantic Fleet, and other fleet forces, operating in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The naval station is also the headquarters for the Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic and Commanding General, and Fleet Marine Force Atlantic.
Loudoun County in Virginia is nicknamed the internet capital of the world as more than 70%i of the world’s internet traffic funnels through data centers here.
The 17.6-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting the Virginia mainland at Virginia Beach near Norfolk with Virginia's Eastern Shore is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.
The Museum of Chincoteague Island focuses on the historic role of islanders as watermen, lightkeepers, and shipwreck rescuers. The museum also exhibits the island's oyster industry, its maritime history, and the wild ponies of neighboring Assateague Island.
The 199,173-acre Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows. It encompasses a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and about 40% of the park is a protected wild area.
The military cemetery in Arlington County across the Potomac River has the graveyards of soldiers who fought for the country starting from the Civil War. The 639-acre Arlington National Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Virginia.
Virginia is home to some of the top-rated colleges and universities across the country. Since you’re considering moving to Virginia, here’s a list of the best schools, colleges and universities in the state.
Powell Valley Primary School
Wise County Public Schools, Public, PK-4 | 786 students, Rating: 9/10
Kaechele Elementary
Henrico County Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 429 students, Rating: 9/10
Madison's Trust Elementary
Loudoun County Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 994 students, Rating: 9/10
Jamestown Elementary School
Arlington County Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 610 students, Rating: 9/10
Arlington Traditional
Arlington County Public Schools, Public, PK-5 | 540 students, Rating: 9/10
Cooper Middle School
Fairfax County Public Schools, Public, 7-8 | 912 students, Rating: 9/10
Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle School
Hampton City Public Schools, Public, 6-8 | 652 students, Rating: 9/10
Blue Ridge Elementary School
Patrick County Public Schools, Public, PK-7 | 267 students, Rating: 9/10
Honaker Elementary School
Russell County Public Schools, Public, PK-7 | 652 students, Rating: 9/10
Kemps Landing Magnet
VA Beach City Public Schools, Public, 2-8 | 1181 students, Rating: 9/10
Langley High School
Fairfax County Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 1965 students, Rating: 10/10
Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology
Fairfax County Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 1786 students, Rating: 10/10
Open High School
Richmond City Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 181 students, Rating: 10/10
Richmond Community High School
Richmond City Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 236 students, Rating: 10/10
West Point High School
West Point Public Schools, Public, 9-12 | 273 students, Rating: 10/10
Rank 1. University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Rank 2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Rank 3. George Mason University, Fairfax
Rank 4. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Rank 5. College of William & Mary, Williamsburg
Rank 6. Liberty University, Lynchburg
Rank 7. Old Dominion University, Norfolk
Rank 8. James Madison University, Harrisonburg
Rank 9. University of Richmond, Richmond
Rank 10. Washington and Lee University, Lexington
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