Moving from Huntsville, AL to Newport News, VA
It is 720 mi between Huntsville and Newport News β roughly 13h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
720 mi Β· 13h 27m by car Β· AL β TN β GA β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β TN β GA β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Knoxville, Richmond, Hampton, Norfolk |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.2% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $287,569 vs $290,660.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntsville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Huntsville (62.9Β°F) and Newport News (59.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.44 |
Households in Newport News earn about 5.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newport News 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 Alabama 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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Newport News, VA from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 720 mi and the route typically takes 13h 27m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $287,569 in Huntsville β a 1.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $70,778 in Huntsville β a 5.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 720 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Newport News more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 5.2% higher than Huntsville (97.941 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL Β· Newport News, VA.