Key factors that influence moving costs from San Bernardino to Virginia Beachtoggle

The cost of San Bernardino movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach might cost just $1,520 for a one-bedroom, but up to $13,985 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in San Bernardino, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $1,829 and $4,493, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach

Moving from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Virginia Beach is generally more expensive than San Bernardino, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

San Bernardino Virginia Beach
Average rent cost $1,950 $1,950
Average home value $481,419 $402,391
Average income (per capita) $55,372 $81,810
Cost of living (single person) $2,054 $4,533
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,469 $5,910
Unemployment rate 10.6% 4.8%
Sales tax 8.75% 6.0%
State income tax 13.3% 5.75%
  • Rent prices are the same in Virginia Beach and San Bernardino.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Virginia Beach.
    Home prices in Virginia Beach are 16.4% lower than in San Bernardino.
  • Income in Virginia Beach is 47.7% higher than in San Bernardino, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Virginia Beach include Stihl, Navy Exchange, and Venture Realty Group.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Virginia Beach, since the cost of living for a single person in Virginia Beach is 120.7% higher than in San Bernardino. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Virginia Beach, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 32.2% higher than in San Bernardino.
  • The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 54.72% lower than in San Bernardino.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 31.43% lower than in San Bernardino.
  • One perk of moving to Virginia Beach is paying less in state income taxes, which are 56.77% lower than in San Bernardino.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $6,620.74 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Bernardino.

How life is different in San Bernardino vs. Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach San Bernardino
Population 457,672 222,101
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 7
Walkability score 33 45
Bike friendliness score 42 44
Crime Index 42.0 73.87
Safety Index 58.0 26.13
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • The population of Virginia Beach is about 106% greater than San Bernardino, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
  • Getting around Virginia Beach without a car might be more difficult than in San Bernardino. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas San Bernardino is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a cityโ€™s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
  • Virginia Beach neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Bernardino. Based on its score of 33 out of 100, Virginia Beach isnโ€™t as walkable as San Bernardino, which has a score of 45 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
  • Virginia Beach and San Bernardino are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 42 and 44 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
  • Virginia Beach has a lower crime rate than San Bernardino based on scores of 42.0 and San Bernardino's 73.87, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
  • You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Virginia Beach than in San Bernardino, based on Virginia Beachโ€™s safety index of 58.0 versus 26.13 for San Bernardino. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • You can breathe easy knowing that Virginia Beach has better air quality than in San Bernardino. Virginia Beach has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Bernardino. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your San Bernardino vs. Virginia Beach move

  • Weather: Virginia Beach has winters that are cool with light snowfall. Summers are hot and humid. The wettest season is summer, specifically July to early September, with August being the single wettest month.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Virginia does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Virginia Beach. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Virginia Beach

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Neptune City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Virginia Beach.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Hilltop
  • Alanton
  • Great Neck
  • Kempsville
  • Bayside

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Great Neck
  • Red Mill
  • Kempsville
  • Ocean Lakes
  • Alanton

Things to do in Virginia Beach

Now that you've made the move to Virginia, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore Virginia Beach. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Virginia Beach, such as the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Ferry Plantation House, and Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Neptune's Park, Mount Trashmore Park, Bayville Farms Park, and Great Neck Park โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in San Bernardino.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach?

Because spring and fall moves from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from San Bernardino to Virginia Beach take?

Covering 2,679 miles, the move from San Bernardino, CA to Virginia Beach, VA typically takes seven to 21 days. Some San Bernardino movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inVirginia Beach can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources