Key factors that influence moving costs from Plano to Virginia Beach
What to know before moving from Plano to Virginia Beach
Moving from Plano to Virginia Beach comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Virginia Beach is generally more expensive than Plano, 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:
Plano | Virginia Beach | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,100 | $1,950 |
Average home value | $511,000 | $402,391 |
Average income (per capita) | $67,874 | $81,810 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,506 | $4,533 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,078 | $5,910 |
Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 4.8% |
Sales tax | 8.25% | 6.0% |
State income tax | 0.0% | 5.75% |
- Rent prices in Virginia Beach are 7% lower than in Plano, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Virginia Beach.
Home prices in Virginia Beach are 21.3% lower than in Plano. - Income in Virginia Beach is 20.5% higher than in Plano, 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 80.9% higher than in Plano. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Virginia Beach is 2.8% lower than in Plano.
- The unemployment rate in Virginia Beach is 12.73% lower than in Plano.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Virginia Beach, since the cityโs sales taxes in Virginia Beach are 27.27% lower than in Plano.
- State income taxes in Virginia Beach are 5.75% higher than in Plano.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,426.58 in Virginia Beach to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Plano.
How life is different in Plano vs. Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach | Plano | |
---|---|---|
Population | 457,672 | 285,494 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 2 |
Walkability score | 33 | 41 |
Bike friendliness score | 42 | 52 |
Crime Index | 42.0 | 23.02 |
Safety Index | 58.0 | 76.98 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Virginia Beach is about 60% greater than Plano, 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.
- Virginia Beach offers better access to buses and trains than Plano, based on public transportation ratings. Virginia Beach has a transit score of 3 out of 10 compared to 2 in Plano. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Virginia Beach neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Plano. Based on its score of 33 out of 100, Virginia Beach isnโt as walkable as Plano, which has a score of 41 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 wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Virginia Beach, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Plano. While Plano 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.
- The crime rate in Virginia Beach is higher than in Plano, 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 23.02 in Plano. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Virginia Beach. With a crime index of 58.0, Virginia Beach ranks lower in overall safety than Plano, whose index is Plano's 76.98. 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 Plano 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 Plano 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: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Virginia, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Virginia doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Virginia Beach without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Virginia Beach
With your sights set on "Neptune City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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
Now that you've made the move to Virginia, itโs the perfect time to explore Virginia Beach. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Virginia Beach, such as 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 along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Virginia Beach United FC (USL League Two) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Plano to Virginia Beach?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Plano to Virginia Beach. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Plano.
When is the cheapest time to move from Plano to Virginia Beach?
Because spring and fall moves from Plano 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 Plano to Virginia Beach take?
Covering 1,384 miles, the move from Plano, TX to Virginia Beach, VA typically takes three to eight days. Some Plano movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inVirginia Beach can help bridge the gap.