Moving from Greensboro, NC to Hampton, VA
It is a 256 mi drive, roughly 5h 15m, between Greensboro, NC and Hampton, VA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
256 mi Β· 5h 15m by car Β· NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, I 85, US 158 |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Durham, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greensboro | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.5% above Greensboro β 92.865 β 97.941 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Greensboro to Hampton β $264,428 vs $275,341 (2026-03).
YoY change: Greensboro -0.1%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greensboro | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.9" | 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: GREENSBORO WTP, NC US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greensboro | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $58,884 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.38 |
Households in Hampton earn about 5.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Greensboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hampton, VA from Greensboro, NC?
The driving distance is 256 mi and the route typically takes 5h 15m via US 58 and I 85. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Greensboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $264,428 in Greensboro β a 4.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Greensboro to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 256 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hampton more expensive than Greensboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 5.5% higher than Greensboro (97.941 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Greensboro vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $58,884 in Greensboro β a 15.1% higher 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 Greensboro.
City profiles: Greensboro, NC Β· Hampton, VA.