($1,242) Movers From Buffalo, NY to Virginia Beach, VA

What to know before moving from Buffalo to Virginia Beach

Moving from Buffalo to Virginia Beach comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Virginia Beach is generally more expensive than Buffalo, 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 63% higher than in Buffalo, 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 Buffalo.
  Home prices in Virginia Beach are 88.5% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income in Virginia Beach is 29.0% higher than in Buffalo, 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 75.1% higher than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’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 3.3% higher than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 49.47% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the city’s sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 31.43% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to Virginia Beach is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.25% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,252.61 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. Virginia Beach

• The population of Virginia Beach is about 64% greater than Buffalo, 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 Buffalo. Virginia Beach has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Buffalo is ranked 7. 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 Buffalo. Based on its score of 33 out of 100, Virginia Beach isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 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 Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 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 Buffalo, 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 8.0 in Buffalo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Virginia Beach than in Buffalo, based on Virginia Beach’s safety index of 58.0 versus 53.55 for Buffalo. 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 Buffalo. Virginia Beach has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
• Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
• Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
• 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). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Virginia, though it\’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
• Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toVirginia Beach Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Virginia Beach

Now that you’ve chosen "Neptune City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach to check out.

Helpful moving resources