Pennsylvania Local Expert
Alyssa Kruse
“She reads 200 books a year and knits her own snuggle blankets”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From PAMoving from Pennsylvania|To VAMoving to Virginia|Pennsylvania → Virginia
Moving from PA to Virginia: Is It Worth What You'll Spend?
Pennsylvania and Virginia sit close enough on the map that the move can feel like a short hop, yet the two states offer surprisingly different day to day realities once you settle in. Pennsylvania trades its rust belt grit and four season extremes for Virginia's blend of Southern charm, coastal access, and a cost of living that shifts dramatically depending on how close you land to the D.C. suburbs. The history runs deep in both states, but Virginia swaps Philly cheesesteaks and Pittsburgh steel for bourbon country, Blue Ridge mountain views, and a job market shaped heavily by federal government work. Our Snappy Scout team (Alyssa & Laura) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Are You Actually Moving from Pennsylvania to Virginia?
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-95 S, I-81 S, I-76 W, I-66 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Philadelphia, PA → Virginia Beach, VA
~400 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Richmond, VA
~350 miles
Harrisburg, PA → Arlington, VA
~200 miles
Allentown, PA → Norfolk, VA
~400 miles
Philadelphia, PA → Roanoke, VA
~450 miles
Should You Move From Pennsylvania to Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia from Pennsylvania 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.
What Does It Actually Cost to Move from Pennsylvania to Virginia?
Moving 350 miles from Pennsylvania to Virginia will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,050.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,380.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,900.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,060.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,850.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,050.00 | 450 | $4.56 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,380.00 | 750 | $4.51 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,900.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,060.00 | 1,600 | $4.41 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,850.00 | 1,800 | $4.36 |
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.
Should You Uproot Your Life from Pennsylvania to Virginia?
Well, it depends. If you're a Tech Bro, Beach Bum, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Craft Beer Fan, or PTA President, 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 Pennsylvania to Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from PA to VA
Tech Scene
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
CMU robotics, Argo AI alumni, uCity Square startups buzzing
Virginia
Gaining
AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Tech Bros
ArlingtonRestonTysons
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Virginia
9
/10
Beach Culture
Pennsylvania
3
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Presque Isle beaches shine, but ocean boardwalk dreams wait Jersey
Virginia
Gaining
Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Virginia BeachSandbridge
Pennsylvania
3
/10
Virginia
4
/10
Adventure Activities
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Youghiogheny whitewater, Hawk Mountain climbs, PA Grand Canyon views
Virginia
Gaining
McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Shenandoah National ParkRoanokeDamascus
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Cowboys
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
Virginia
Gaining
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Cowboys
MiddleburgWytheville
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Troegs, Dancing Gnome, Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, Yuenglings, Weyerbacher, Spring House Brewing, Yards Brewing, Human Robot, Wissahickon Brewing Company
Virginia
Gaining
The Veil haze, Hardywood barrels, Commonwealth pours.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
PTA Life
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Top schools, Friday Night lights, Main Line bake sale bragging
Virginia
Gaining
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Recommended VA cities/areas for PTA Presidents
ViennaChesapeakeGlen Allen
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
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
Lifestyle differences between living in Pennsylvania and living in Virginia
PennsylvaniaVirginia
Pennsylvania to Virginia: A Food Lover's Guide to Local Food
Eating Like a Local in Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertEating 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 GrayVirginia Local ExpertIs Virginia a More Tax-Friendly State for Your Tax Picture?
Pennsylvania
Virginia
PennsylvaniavsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
How Culture, Politics, & Faith Compare Between Pennsylvania and Virginia
Pennsylvania
Virginia
PennsylvaniavsVirginia
People
PeopleGritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
What Shifts About the Seasons When You Move from Pennsylvania to Virginia
SUMMER
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
WINTER
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
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 GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext 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 Pennsylvania, 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 toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton
Pack Sunscreen, Crab Crackers, and Patience
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
