($1,533) Movers From Portland, ME to Virginia Beach, VA

What to know before moving from Portland to Virginia Beach

Moving from Portland to Virginia Beach comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Virginia Beach is generally more expensive than Portland, 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 Virginia Beach are 2% lower than in Portland, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Virginia Beach.
  Home prices in Virginia Beach are 25.8% lower than in Portland.
• Income in Virginia Beach is 27.5% higher than in Portland, 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 82.0% higher than in Portland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 2.5% lower than in Portland.
• The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 7.69% lower than in Portland.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the city’s sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 9.09% higher than in Portland.
• State income taxes are the same in Virginia Beach and Portland.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,459.25 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Portland.

How life is different in Portland vs. Virginia Beach

• The population of Virginia Beach is about 569% greater than Portland, 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 Portland. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Portland is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’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 Portland. Based on its score of 33 out of 100, Virginia Beach isn’t as walkable as Portland, which has a score of 62 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 Virginia Beach, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Portland. While Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, Virginia Beach earned a 42. 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.
• The crime rate in Virginia Beach is higher than in Portland, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 42.0 in Virginia Beach, it is 32.16 in Portland. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Virginia Beach. With a crime index of 58.0, Virginia Beach ranks lower in overall safety than Portland, whose index is Portland's 67.84. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Virginia Beach and Portland 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 Portland 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: 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach

Ready to relocate to "Neptune City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Virginia Beach.

Helpful moving resources