Moving from Virginia to Missouri
Moving from Virginia to Missouri covers about 1,005 miles — a mid-distance interstate move. Whether you drive a rental truck or hire movers, this checklist keeps every step on track.
Generate My ChecklistVA vs MO at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Modest cost-of-living shift
Overall costs in Missouri are about 11% lower than in Virginia — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
Before You Leave Virginia
Surrender the plates before you cancel the insurance
Do not cancel your Virginia insurance before you surrender your Virginia plates. If you want to cancel the policy, wait until you have coverage from another insurer. You can surrender the plates to DMV online. DMV also asks you to mail the plates back after you register the car in your new state. Mailing them is not required, but it prevents fraudulent use of the plates.
Source: Virginia DMV, Leaving VirginiaClaim a refund and stop the local car tax
You may be eligible for a refund if six full months or more remain on your registration. Mail the Vehicle Registration Refund Application (FMS 210) with your plates. Also notify the Commissioner of the Revenue or Director of Finance in the locality you are leaving. This stops the locality from assessing personal property tax on your vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, tell the leasing company you moved.
Source: Virginia DMV, Leaving VirginiaFile Form 760PY for the year you move
You are a part-year resident if you move out of Virginia during the year to become a resident of another state. Part-year residents usually file Form 760PY. You prorate your personal exemptions and standard deduction, and you subtract your non-Virginia income. If you lived in Virginia for 183 days or less that year, you can file as a nonresident on Form 763 instead. If you move out and return within six months, Virginia generally treats you as not having established residency elsewhere.
Source: Virginia Tax, Residency StatusRent from a house you kept means a Form 763 return
Income from the rental or sale of Virginia real estate is Virginia source income. So are wages for work done in Virginia. A nonresident with Virginia source income files Form 763. In the year you move, you may need two returns. File Form 760PY for the months you lived in Virginia. File Form 763 for Virginia source income you got after you moved. Interest from a Virginia bank account is not Virginia source income. Neither is a pension paid by a Virginia payer.
Source: Virginia Tax, Residency StatusAfter You Arrive in Missouri
Get a Missouri license as soon as you are a resident
Missouri gives no grace period. Apply at any Missouri license office. Surrender a valid license from another state, or one expired 184 days or less, and you skip the written and skills tests. Everyone takes the road sign recognition test and the vision test. A commercial driver license must transfer within 30 days.
Source: Missouri DOR, Driver licensing FAQTitle your car within 30 days
The 30 days start on the date you become a resident. Bring the original out-of-state title, Form 108, proof of insurance, and an ID/OD inspection. To get plates, you also need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. The safety inspection counts as the ID/OD inspection. If a lender holds the title, send it Form 5834 to request it. The title fee is $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee. For a passenger vehicle, the plate fee depends on taxable horsepower.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationGet a statement of non-assessment from the county assessor
The license office asks for it when you first title the car. It shows that you owe no Missouri personal property tax. Get it from the assessor in your county, or the City of St. Louis. Ask the assessor to add you to the roll for next year. To renew plates later, bring a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment.
Source: Missouri State Tax Commission, Receipts and waiversCheck the safety and emissions inspection rules
To get plates, you need a Missouri safety inspection unless the vehicle is exempt. A vehicle is exempt for the first ten years after its model year if it has less than 150,000 miles. In St. Louis City and in Jefferson, St. Charles, and St. Louis counties, you also need an emissions inspection. Inspections must be no more than 60 days old.
Source: Missouri DOR, Titling and registrationCarry 25/50/25 liability and uninsured motorist coverage
Liability limits must be at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Source: Missouri DOR, Insurance requirementsRegister to vote by the fourth Wednesday before an election
Register online, by mail, or in person. A mailed form must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before the election. If you register after that, you can vote in later elections.
Source: Missouri Secretary of State, Register to voteYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 1,005 miles (~18.5 hours), you can drive a rental truck or hire movers — compare both. If you drive, plan an overnight stop and factor in fuel and lodging.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the Missouri DMV, register to vote in MO, and set up your new utilities.
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Climate Comparison
Virginia
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Missouri
Humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Virginia
Missouri
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Virginia to Missouri?
The driving distance from Virginia to Missouri is approximately 1,005 miles — about 18.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Virginia to Missouri?
A professional interstate move from Virginia to Missouri typically costs between $4,000 and $7,500, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Virginia and Missouri?
Virginia has a cost of living index of 99.1 versus 88.6 for Missouri (US average = 100).
- Overall, Missouri is about 11% lower than Virginia.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to Missouri?
After establishing residency in Missouri, you have 30 days to update your driver's license at a Missouri DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the Missouri DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in Missouri?
Missouri has humid continental with cold winters and hot, humid summers.
- The annual average temperature is 56°F, with about 42 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $129.