Moving from Fairfield, CA to Newport News, VA
Moving from Fairfield, CA to Newport News, VA is a 2900 mi cross-country relocation β about 51h 17m 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.
2900 mi Β· 51h 17m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Newport News is 9.7% cheaper than Fairfield overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Newport News is 9.7% below Fairfield β $609,269 vs $290,660 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7Β°F) and Newport News (59.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Newport News is 9.7% below Fairfield ($102,321 vs $66,718, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newport News 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 California 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Newport News, VA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2900 mi and the route typically takes 51h 17m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 34.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Newport News more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 9.7% lower than Fairfield (97.941 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2900 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Newport News, VA.