Moving from Hampton, VA to Mobile, AL
It is 913 mi between Hampton and Mobile β roughly 17h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
913 mi Β· 17h 27m by car Β· AL β GA β SC β NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA β SC β NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 65, US 58 |
| Major cities en route | Montgomery, Columbus, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.0% moving from Hampton to Mobile β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $275,341 in Hampton to $194,564 in Mobile, a 10.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hampton | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 60.5" |
Annual temperature rises 9.3Β°F moving to Mobile per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.39 |
Mobile households earn about 10.0% less than Hampton at the median β $67,758 β $51,090 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $67,758 in Hampton β a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Mobile more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 10.0% lower than Hampton (88.098 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Mobile, AL from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 913 mi and the route typically takes 17h 27m via I 85 and I 65. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $275,341 in Hampton β a 29.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 913 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA Β· Mobile, AL.