Moving from Hampton, VA to Sacramento, CA
A 2873 mi cross-country move between Hampton and Sacramento is 50h 33m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2873 mi · 50h 33m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Sacramento runs about 8.9% more expensive overall than Hampton — RPP 97.941 → 106.67.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $275,341 in Hampton to $479,766 in Sacramento, a 8.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 19.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.8°F vs 63.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.63 |
Sacramento households earn about 8.9% more than Hampton at the median — $67,758 → $83,753 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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-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 Sacramento average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Sacramento more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 8.9% higher than Hampton (106.67 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2873 mi and the route typically takes 50h 33m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Sacramento?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Sacramento vs 59.8°F in Hampton (3.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 19.2 in vs 47.8 in.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 23.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2873 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 74.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Sacramento, CA.