Moving from Hampton, VA to Philadelphia, PA
Moving from Hampton, VA to Philadelphia, PA covers 286 mi and about 6h 28m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
286 mi · 6h 28m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, DE 1 TOLL, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Hampton (97.941) and Philadelphia (102.554) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Philadelphia ZHVI at $231,815 is 4.7% below Hampton at $275,341.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 50.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.1 in of snowfall annually at Philadelphia.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 4.7% below Hampton ($67,758 → $60,698, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 286 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via US 13 and DE 1 TOLL. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 59.8°F in Hampton (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 47.8 in.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 4.7% higher than Hampton (102.554 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 286 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 15.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 10.4% lower 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Philadelphia, PA.