Moving from Durham, NC to Hampton, VA
Moving from Durham, NC to Hampton, VA covers 202 mi and about 4h 12m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
202 mi Β· 4h 12m by car Β· NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, US 158, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Durham (97.572) and Hampton (97.941) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Hampton: 0.4% below Durham on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 47.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Hampton is 0.4% below Durham ($79,234 β $67,758, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $396,395 in Durham β a 30.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 202 mi and the route typically takes 4h 12m via US 58 and US 158. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 0.4% higher than Durham (97.941 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 202 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $79,234 in Durham β a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Hampton, VA.