Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Hampton, VA
It is 2699 mi and 47h 24m from Garden Grove to Hampton — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2699 mi · 47h 24m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.8% cheaper overall in Hampton than Garden Grove on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 47.8" |
Expect 6.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.38 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.8% — $90,166 → $67,758 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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 — 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hampton more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 13.8% lower than Garden Grove (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 72.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 12.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Garden 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 2699 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 24.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hampton, VA from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2699 mi and the route typically takes 47h 24m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Hampton, VA.