Moving from Newport News, VA to Austin, TX
Cross-country relocations like Newport News, VA β Austin, TX cover 1539 mi and about 27h 34m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1539 mi Β· 27h 34m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin and Newport News are close on the overall BEA RPP (97.941 vs 98.066); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 0.1% above Newport News at $290,660 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 36.3" |
Climate warms by 10.5Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 70.0Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.1% between Newport News and Austin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Austin compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 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 Newport News to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1539 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 37.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Austin more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 0.1% higher than Newport News (98.066 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 75.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 1539 mi and the route typically takes 27h 34m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Austin, TX.