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
Leaving Virginia for Ohio: The Truth Nobody Tells You
Trading the rolling Blue Ridge foothills and coastal tidewater charm of Virginia for the heartland expanse of Ohio comes with more surprises than most people anticipate. Virginia blends a fast paced Northern Virginia tech corridor with quieter, history rich Southern towns, while Ohio counters with affordable Midwest metros, four distinct seasons turned up a notch, and a cost of living that tends to stop newcomers in their tracks. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Heather) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should plan for before you load the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
VA to OH Mileage by the Numbers
Average distance
450miles
Typical route
I-77 N and I-64 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Virginia to Ohio
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Columbus, OH
~450 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Cleveland, OH
~550 miles
Norfolk, VA → Cincinnati, OH
~600 miles
Roanoke, VA → Columbus, OH
~400 miles
Arlington, VA → Columbus, OH
~450 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Ohio Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Ohio 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 Will Moving to OH from VA Actually Cost?
Moving 450 miles from Virginia to Ohio will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,580.00
1 Bedroom
$2,350.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,880.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,630.00
4 Bedrooms
$8,110.00
5+ Bedrooms
$9,030.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,580.00 | 300 | $5.27 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,350.00 | 450 | $5.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,880.00 | 750 | $5.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,630.00 | 1,100 | $5.12 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $8,110.00 | 1,600 | $5.07 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $9,030.00 | 1,800 | $5.02 |
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.
What Type of Person Flourishes After Moving from VA to OH?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, DIYer, or College Student, you'll thrive in your move to Ohio. But if you're more of a Yoga Instructor, Dog Momma, or Homesteader, 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 Ohio.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to OH
Cowboys
Virginia
3
/10
Ohio
4.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Ohio
Gaining
Ohio State Fair livestock thrills, not true ranch country, just scattered hobby farms and county fairs
Recommended OH cities/areas for Cowboys
CirclevilleDelaware
Virginia
3
/10
Ohio
4.5
/10
DIYers
Virginia
7.5
/10
Ohio
8.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Habitat ReStore hauls and Carytown salvage treasures.
Ohio
Gaining
Columbus Idea Foundry, Dayton Carillon workshops spark makers and the rent on workshop space won't bankrupt you
Virginia
7.5
/10
Ohio
8.5
/10
University Life
Virginia
9
/10
Ohio
9.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
UVA rotunda, Hokies Enter Sandman, W&M colonial quads.
Ohio
Gaining
OSU madness, OU fests, Miami traditions, late tacos (and Insomnia Cookies at 2am)
Recommended OH cities/areas for College Students
Virginia
9
/10
Ohio
9.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Virginia
8.5
/10
Ohio
8
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Mount Vernon Trail jogs, dog friendly breweries, oceanfront walks.
Ohio
Gaining
Dog beach zoomies (Huntington Dog Beach is Lake Erie heaven), patio treats at Land Grant
Virginia
8.5
/10
Ohio
8
/10
Homesteading
Virginia
6.5
/10
Ohio
6
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season.
Ohio
Gaining
Amish bulk stores, OU farmers, cheap acreage with creeks where land still goes for under $5k an acre
Recommended OH cities/areas for Homesteaders
MillersburgAthens
Virginia
6.5
/10
Ohio
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Ohio?
The cardinals and robins chirping, and the feral howls of OSU football fans.
– Heather Taylor
Ohio Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Virginia and living in Ohio
VirginiaOhio
The Food Scene: VA vs OH
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 Ohio
if you want to eat like a real Buckeye, you gotta get Cincinnati chili the right way. It’s this weird, thin, spiced-up meat sauce (cinnamon and allspice vibes, no beans in the base) served over spaghetti. Don’t call it “chili” like Texas stuff, we know it’s different. Tips on ordering it: 3-way: Spaghetti + chili + a mountain of shredded cheddar cheese.
4-way: Add onions or beans.
5-way: All of it, cheese, onions, and beans.
Always ask for oyster crackers on the side and hit it with hot sauce. And whatever you do, don’t put beans on first if you’re ordering a 4-way, locals will side-eye you hard.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertVA vs OH: How Your Taxes Break Down
Virginia
Ohio
VirginiavsOhio
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Ohio
Graduated, roughly 0 to 3.99%. Many cities levy 1 to 3%. Columbus is 2.5%, so budget accordingly if you work in the city
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Ohio
Higher in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Delaware, lower in many Appalachian counties. Delaware County property taxes fund those top-rated schools everyone moves there for
What Hits Different About Culture, Politics, & Faith When You Move to OH from VA
Virginia
Ohio
VirginiavsOhio
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Ohio
Midwestern nice, sports obsessed, weather tough, proudly local, big on neighborly favors. They'll help you shovel out after a snowstorm without being asked
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Ohio
Once swingy, trending red statewide, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo reliably blue. But Athens and Oberlin punch way above their weight for progressive pockets
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Ohio
Mostly Christian, Protestant and Catholic strong, notable Amish in Holmes and Geauga, where you can still buy furniture built without power tools, rising nones
The Weather Gap Between VA and OH
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
Ohio
cornfield sauna vibes (sticky 90s in Cincinnati, lake breeze up north). Though Cleveland can hit 85 and feel like 95 with the humidity rolling off the lake
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
Ohio
gray hoodie chill (Snowbelt gets lake effect wallops, southern Ohio mostly slush). Chardon and Ashtabula regularly bury under feet while Columbus gets a dusting
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Ohio
Spring. This is when the flowers bloom, migratory birds start coming home, nature wakes up, everything starts to open again, people are outside again. I love the spring season in Ohio.
Heather TaylorOhio Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Ohio
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 Ohio. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Ohio local experts.
Moving toCincinnati
Chili 3-Ways, Seven Hills, Rheingeist Roofs
Moving toCleveland
Parka On, Pierogi Up, Avoid Dead Man's Curve
Moving toColumbus
Jeni's, The Shoe, Pop Up Storms. Pack Layers
