Best overall value
Key factors that influence moving costs from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach
What to know before moving from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach
Moving from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Virginia Beach is generally more expensive than Indianapolis, itโs 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:
| Indianapolis | Virginia Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,399 | $1,950 |
| Average home value | $220,467 | $402,391 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,110 | $81,810 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,804 | $4,533 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,667 | $5,910 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 3.15% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Virginia Beach are 39% higher than in Indianapolis, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Indianapolis.
Home prices in Virginia Beach are 82.5% higher than in Indianapolis. - Income in Virginia Beach is 38.4% higher than in Indianapolis, 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 61.7% higher than in Indianapolis. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 11.4% lower than in Indianapolis.
- The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 14.29% lower than in Indianapolis.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the cityโs sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 14.29% lower than in Indianapolis.
- State income taxes in Virginia Beach are 82.54% higher than in Indianapolis.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,849.86 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Indianapolis.
How life is different in Indianapolis vs. Virginia Beach
| Virginia Beach | Indianapolis | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,672 | 887,642 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 31 |
| Bike friendliness score | 42 | 43 |
| Crime Index | 42.0 | 60.71 |
| Safety Index | 58.0 | 39.29 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Virginia Beach might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 48% less than Indianapolis.
- Getting around Virginia Beach without a car might be more difficult than in Indianapolis. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Indianapolis is ranked 5. Ratings are based on a cityโs transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Youโll find Virginia Beach to be about as walkable as Indianapolis. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 33 and 31 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- Virginia Beach and Indianapolis are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 42 and 43 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 Indianapolis based on scores of 42.0 and Indianapolis's 60.71, 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 Indianapolis, based on Virginia Beachโs safety index of 58.0 versus 39.29 for Indianapolis. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Virginia Beach and Indianapolis is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Indianapolis 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
Once youโre settled into your new home in Virginia, itโs time to get out and discover what Virginia Beach has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Virginia Beach features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 cityโs Neptune's Park, Mount Trashmore Park, Bayville Farms Park, and Great Neck Park โ among other spots โ perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Indianapolis.
When is the cheapest time to move from Indianapolis to Virginia Beach?
Because spring and fall moves from Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis to Virginia Beach take?
Covering 732 miles, the move from Indianapolis, IN to Virginia Beach, VA typically takes one to six days. Some Indianapolis movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inVirginia Beach can help bridge the gap.
