Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Hampton, VA

Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Hampton, VA is a 2886 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 50h 48m of driving through 12 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.

2886 mi Β· 50h 48m by car Β· CA β†’ NV β†’ UT β†’ WY β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ MO β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ KY β†’ WV β†’ VA

COL -8.2% Home values -56.8% Ξ” -2.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2886 mi
Drive time
50h 48m
States
12
Fuel (25 mpg)
115 gal
Route throughCA β†’ NV β†’ UT β†’ WY β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ MO β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ KY β†’ WV β†’ VA
Primary highwaysI 80, I 64, I 70
Major cities en routeSacramento, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Elk GroveHamptonU.S. avg
All items (RPP)106.6797.941100.0
Rents151.2989.579100.0
Goods105.16896.767100.0
Services130.2399.805100.0

RPP moves from 106.67 to 97.941, putting Hampton roughly 8.2% below Elk Grove on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Elk Grove β€” typical home
$637,450
Hampton β€” typical home
$275,341
Elk Grove β€” typical rent
$2,642/mo
Hampton β€” typical rent
$1,593/mo

Homes run dramatically cheaper in Hampton: 8.2% below Elk Grove on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsElk GroveHampton
Annual avg temperature62Β°F60Β°F
January avg low39Β°F32Β°F
July avg high93Β°F87Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”2.7"
Annual precipitation18.1"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 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Elk GroveHampton
Population177,221137,334
Median household income$122,229$67,758
Median age3936.5
Bachelor's degree or higher25.4%17.1%
Avg household size3.242.38

Median household income in Hampton is 8.2% below Elk Grove ($122,229 vs $67,758, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Elk Grove MSA β€” median wage
$55,290
Hampton MSA β€” median wage
$46,990
Elk Grove MSA β€” employment
1,048,170
Hampton MSA β€” employment
737,200

Top occupations in Hampton MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 California and Virginia

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal

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 20–30% 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

  • Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
  • I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
  • I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
  • I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β€” check WYDOT 511 before departure.
  • I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
  • I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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 far is Hampton, VA from Elk Grove, CA?

The driving distance is 2886 mi and the route typically takes 50h 48m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Hampton compare to Elk Grove?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Hampton?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2886 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 Elk Grove vs Hampton?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β€” a 44.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Hampton more expensive than Elk Grove?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 8.2% lower than Elk Grove (97.941 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Elk Grove?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β€” a 56.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.

City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Hampton, VA.

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