Moving from Newport News, VA to Fayetteville, NC
It is a 239 mi drive, roughly 4h 58m, between Newport News, VA and Fayetteville, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
239 mi Β· 4h 58m by car Β· NC β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95 BUSINESS, US 301, US 58 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.1% moving from Newport News to Fayetteville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $290,660 in Newport News to $225,534 in Fayetteville, a 6.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 61.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.2 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.57 |
Households in Fayetteville earn about 6.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 Fayetteville average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 239 mi and the route typically takes 4h 58m via I 95 BUSINESS and US 301. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 22.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 6.1% lower than Newport News (91.978 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 15.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Fayetteville, NC.