Making the Move from MA to Virginia: What to Expect Your First Year

New England charm and Southern hospitality might seem like an odd pairing, but thousands of people make the leap from Massachusetts to Virginia every year. The contrast runs deeper than just the weather warming up a few degrees. Massachusetts offers dense urban energy, a fierce sports culture, and some of the best universities in the world, while Virginia counters with historic character, a lower cost of living, and a pace that lets you actually breathe. The trade-offs are real, though, and anyone who has made this move will tell you the details catch you off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Candice & Laura) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before a single box gets taped shut.
Moving from Massachusetts to Virginia featured image

Who's Behind This Guide

Thinking about a DIY Move from MA to VA?

Average distance
600miles
Typical route
I-95 S and I-495 S are the primary highways you'd drive to get from Massachusetts to Virginia

Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):

Boston, MA Richmond, VA
~600 miles
Boston, MA Virginia Beach, VA
~700 miles
Worcester, MA Arlington, VA
~550 miles
Springfield, MA Norfolk, VA
~650 miles
Cambridge, MA Alexandria, VA
~450 miles
Residential neighborhood shots across Virginia Beach
Moving to Virginia means getting to call neighborhoods like Oceanfront / Resort Area, Town Center, Sandbridge, or North End in Virginia Beach home.

Should You Move From Massachusetts to Virginia Quiz

Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia from Massachusetts is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.

Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score

Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.

The True Cost of Moving to VA from MA

Moving 600 miles from Massachusetts to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.

Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
29days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,890.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,120.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,520.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,500.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,220.00
Home SizeMoving CostVolume (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,270.00300$4.23
1 Bedroom$1,890.00450$4.2
2 Bedrooms$3,120.00750$4.16
3 Bedrooms$4,520.001,100$4.11
4 Bedrooms$6,500.001,600$4.06
5+ Bedrooms$7,220.001,800$4.01
Snappy Scout camel
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
comparison of housing options and types between neighborhoods in Massachusetts and Virginia
Take a look at the differences in housing options and neighborhood vibes between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA.

Should You Relocate to VA from MA?

Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Binge Shopper, or Surfer Dude, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Massachusetts to Virginia.

Top 3 winners and losers moving from MA to VA

Adventure Activities
Verdict: Winner
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Mount Greylock hikes, coastal kayaking adventures.
Virginia
Gaining
McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Shenandoah National ParkRoanokeDamascus
Homesteading
Verdict: Winner
Massachusetts
4
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Land available but pricey, regulations tighter than Vermont.
Virginia
Gaining
Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Homesteaders
FloydAbingdonLuray
Gardener
Verdict: Similar
Massachusetts
6
/10
Virginia
7
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Berkshire Botanical Garden, historic town greens.
Virginia
Gaining
Norfolk Botanical Garden blooms, Maymont roses, daffodil festival.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
NorfolkRichmondGloucester
Minimalism
Verdict: Loser
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Virginia
5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Small spaces force simplicity, urban living thrives.
Virginia
Gaining
Urban convenience, but sprawl from Tysons to Short Pump.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Minimalists
Arlington condosRichmond lofts
Shopping
Verdict: Loser
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Virginia
4.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Newbury Street boutiques and Burlington Mall sprees.
Virginia
Gaining
Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
TysonsShort PumpPentagon City
Surfing
Verdict: Loser
Massachusetts
5
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Waves exist at Marconi Beach, not California quality though.
Virginia
Gaining
Sandbridge sessions exist, but swells rarely scream Pipeline.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Local Perspective

What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?

Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
Laura Gray
Virginia Local
comparison of hotspots between neighborhoods in Massachusetts and Virginia
Checkout this neighborhood hotspot comparison. The lifestyle differences between Massachusetts & Virginia will definitely change how you enjoy your new state.

Lifestyle differences between living in Massachusetts and living in Virginia

MassachusettsVirginia

The Eating Divide Between MA and VA

Eating Like a Local in Massachusetts

We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!

Candice Hallsett profile pictureCandice HallsettMassachusetts Local Expert

Eating Like a Local in Virginia

What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.

Laura Gray profile pictureLaura GrayVirginia Local Expert

The No-Nonsense Tax Breakdown of Moving to VA from MA

MassachusettsvsVirginia
State Income Tax
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Homes across Virginia
A sampling of housing you might be paying property tax on across Virginia. Featuring the towns of Virginia Beach, Richmond, Hampton, Charlottesville, Newport News, and Norfolk.

Moving to VA from MA: The People, Politics, & Religion Reality

MassachusettsvsVirginia
People
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Comparing the state capitol buildings between Massachusetts and Virginia.
The Massachusetts state capitol building in Boston compared to the Virginia state capitol building in Richmond.

The Honest Seasonal Reality: MA vs VA

SUMMER
Massachusetts

sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)

Virginia

sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)

WINTER
Massachusetts

layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)

Virginia

coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)

My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia

Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)

Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals

Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway

Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school

Laura Gray profile pictureLaura GrayVirginia Local Expert

Next Steps

Learn More About Moving to Virginia

By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Massachusetts, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.

Moving toHampton

Moving toNorfolk