($1,459) Movers From Grand Rapids, MI to Virginia Beach, VA

What to know before moving from Grand Rapids to Virginia Beach

Moving from Grand Rapids to Virginia Beach means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Grand Rapids than in Virginia Beach, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Grand Rapids compares to Virginia Beach so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Virginia Beach are 18% higher than in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids.
  Home prices in Virginia Beach are 22.6% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• Income in Virginia Beach is 29.2% higher than in Grand Rapids, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Virginia Beach include Stihl, Navy Exchange, and Venture Realty Group.
• The cost of living for a single person in Virginia Beach is 15.0% lower than in Grand Rapids. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 17.5% lower than in Grand Rapids.
• The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 11.63% higher than in Grand Rapids.
• Sales taxes are the same in Virginia Beach and Grand Rapids.
• State income taxes in Virginia Beach are 35.29% higher than in Grand Rapids.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,549.97 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Grand Rapids.

How life is different in Grand Rapids vs. Virginia Beach

• The population of Virginia Beach is about 130% greater than Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids. Based on its score of 33 out of 100, Virginia Beach isn’t as walkable as Grand Rapids, which has a score of 56 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 Grand Rapids. While Grand Rapids has a bike-friendliness score of 52 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Virginia Beach as Grand Rapids. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Virginia Beach is generally as safe as Grand Rapids, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Virginia Beach and Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids 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