Moving from Hampton, VA to Visalia, CA
It is 2785 mi and 49h 3m from Hampton to Visalia — 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.
2785 mi · 49h 3m 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 | Bakersfield, Lancaster, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Visalia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 99.825 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 156.446 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 84.053 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.941 vs 99.825 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $275,341 to $396,184 moving to Visalia.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Visalia +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 10.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Hampton (59.8°F) and Visalia (63.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Visalia gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, VISALIA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 142,649 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $79,952 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 14.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.07 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.9% higher in Visalia than Hampton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Visalia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 23,120 | $34,050 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 21,100 | $34,050 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 18,650 | $39,040 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,530 | $46,390 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 13,770 | $63,530 |
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-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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Visalia average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Visalia sees only 10.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How does the job market in Visalia compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,350 in the Visalia MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 168,730 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Visalia, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2785 mi and the route typically takes 49h 3m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Visalia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.1°F in Visalia vs 59.8°F in Hampton (3.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 10.3 in vs 47.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Visalia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Visalia compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,184 in Visalia vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 43.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Visalia more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Visalia is 1.9% higher than Hampton (99.825 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Visalia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,952 in Visalia vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 18.0% 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Visalia, CA.