Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
Relocating from Virginia to Georgia: Your Step-by-Step Guide
On paper, swapping Virginia for Georgia looks like a modest jump down the East Coast, but the two states carry distinct personalities that catch plenty of relocators off guard. Virginia blends historic charm with a strong federal job market and four seasons that actually feel like four seasons, while Georgia trades that cooler climate for Southern warmth, a booming Atlanta economy, and a cost of living that tends to be a little easier on the wallet. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Sabrina) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect well before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Road from Virginia to Georgia
Average distance
650miles
Typical route
I-85 S and I-95 S are the major highways you'd drive to get from Virginia to Georgia
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Atlanta, GA
~700 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Savannah, GA
~650 miles
Norfolk, VA → Atlanta, GA
~750 miles
Roanoke, VA → Atlanta, GA
~600 miles
Charlottesville, VA → Augusta, GA
~650 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Georgia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Georgia from Virginia 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.
How Much Should You Save Up for a Virginia to Georgia Move?
Moving 650 miles from Virginia to Georgia 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,390.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,100.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,390.00 | 1,600 | $3.99 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,100.00 | 1,800 | $3.94 |
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.
Is Georgia Right for Your Sensibilities?
Well, it depends. If you're a PTA President, Beach Bum, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Georgia. But if you're more of a Farmer's Market Regular, Adventure Junkie, or Yoga Instructor, 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 Virginia to Georgia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to GA
PTA Life
Virginia
6.5
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Georgia
Gaining
Top schools, community events, parent networks thrive here
Recommended GA cities/areas for PTA Presidents
MariettaMiltonMadison
Virginia
6.5
/10
Georgia
8.5
/10
Beach Culture
Virginia
4
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades.
Georgia
Gaining
Beaches exist but more laid back than tropical paradise
Recommended GA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Tybee IslandSt. Simons
Virginia
4
/10
Georgia
5
/10
Cowboys
Virginia
3
/10
Georgia
4
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Georgia
Gaining
Some ranches and rodeos exist, but this ain't Texas
Recommended GA cities/areas for Cowboys
Virginia
3
/10
Georgia
4
/10
Adventure Activities
Virginia
9.5
/10
Georgia
7.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles.
Georgia
Gaining
Appalachian Trail, Tallulah Gorge, Chattahoochee River whitewater thrills
Recommended GA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
HelenBlue RidgeClayton
Virginia
9.5
/10
Georgia
7.5
/10
Farmer's Markets
Virginia
8.5
/10
Georgia
7
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Torpedo Factory vibes and Charlottesville City Market peaches.
Georgia
Gaining
Decatur Square markets, Forsyth Farmers Market, local peach stands
Recommended GA cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
Virginia
8.5
/10
Georgia
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Georgia?
In the early spring, yellow daffodils begin to pop up along every roadway and yard. It makes me know that t-shirt and shorts weather is just around the corner.
– Sabrina Wells
Georgia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Virginia and living in Georgia
VirginiaGeorgia
Virginia Food vs Georgia Food: What You Need to Know
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 GrayVirginia Local ExpertEating Like a Local in Georgia
If Brunswick Stew is on the menu, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's got a bit of heat to it even better, but if not they're sure to have a variety of hot sauces available to spice it up.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertHow Moving from Virginia to Georgia Reshapes Your Taxes
Virginia
Georgia
VirginiavsGeorgia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Flat 5.49% on all income
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Georgia
Flat 5.49% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Georgia
Metro Atlanta higher, rural counties lower, overall moderate statewide
The No-Nonsense Values, Beliefs, & Politics Comparison: Virginia vs Georgia
Virginia
Georgia
VirginiavsGeorgia
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Georgia
Southern charm personified, warm hospitality with genuine politeness baked in until they get on 285
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Georgia
Purple battleground, Atlanta and it's surrounding counties learn strong blue, surrounded by a sea of red
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Georgia
Predominantly Christian, heavy Baptist influence, Atlanta brings religious diversity
How The Seasons Shift When You Move to Georgia from Virginia
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
Georgia
satan's sauna setting (90s with bonus swamp air)
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
Georgia
negotiable flannel season (mountains get actual snow)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Georgia
Late spring in Savannah, the weather is perfect, warm but not hot and low humidity. The town is alive with locals, not tourists, and it's a downright pleasant stroll through the haunted graveyards.
Sabrina WellsGeorgia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Georgia
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 Virginia, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Georgia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Georgia local experts.
Moving toAtlanta
Pack Patience for I-285 and Pollen
Moving toMacon
Pack Your Appetite and Cherry Blossom Tolerance
Moving toSavannah
Pack Sunscreen and Flood Insurance
