Moving from Newport News, VA to Hayward, CA
Cross-country relocations like Newport News, VA β Hayward, CA cover 2958 mi and about 52h 24m of driving through 11 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.
2958 mi Β· 52h 24m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 18.0% pricier overall in Hayward than Newport News on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hayward typical home at $848,427 is 18.0% above Newport News at $290,660 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 16.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 59.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 18.0% between Newport News and Hayward (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hayward MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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 Hayward compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 191.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hayward more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 18.0% higher than Newport News (115.613 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2958 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 Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 70.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 2958 mi and the route typically takes 52h 24m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 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· Hayward, CA.