($1,518) Movers From Louisville, KY to Richmond, VA

What to know before moving from Louisville to Richmond

Moving from Louisville to Richmond comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Richmond is generally more expensive than Louisville, it’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:

• Rent prices in Richmond are 28% higher than in Louisville, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Louisville.
  Home prices in Richmond are 44.6% higher than in Louisville.
• Income in Richmond is 14.6% lower than in Louisville, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Richmond include Brink's, CarMax, and MeadWestvaco.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Richmond, since the cost of living for a single person in Richmond is 21.9% higher than in Louisville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Richmond, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Richmond is 17.7% higher than in Louisville.
• The unemployment rate in Richmond is 42.00% higher than in Louisville.
• Sales taxes are the same in Richmond and Louisville.
• State income taxes in Richmond are 43.75% higher than in Louisville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,657.36 in Richmond to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Louisville.

How life is different in Louisville vs. Richmond

• Richmond might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 71% less than Louisville.
• Richmond offers better access to buses and trains than Louisville, based on public transportation ratings. Richmond has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 6 in Louisville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Richmond neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Louisville. Based on its score of 51 out of 100, Richmond isn’t as walkable as Louisville, which has a score of 91 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.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Richmond, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Louisville. While Louisville has a bike-friendliness score of 79 out of 100, Richmond earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Richmond has a lower crime rate than Louisville based on scores of 48.45 and Louisville's 56.68, 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 Richmond than in Louisville, based on Richmond’s safety index of 51.55 versus 43.32 for Louisville. 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 Richmond and Louisville 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 Louisville vs. Richmond move

• Weather: Richmond has a humid subtropical climate, with very hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. Precipitation is rather uniformly distributed throughout the year. Dry periods lasting several weeks sometimes occur, especially in autumn, when long periods of pleasant, mild weather are most common.
• HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a Virginia moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Virginia doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Richmond. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Richmond

Ready to relocate to "Capital of the South"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Richmond.

Helpful moving resources