Moving from Newport News, VA to Richmond, VA
It is a 74 mi drive, roughly 1h 33m, between Newport News, VA and Richmond, VA. 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.
74 mi Β· 1h 33m by car Β· VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 195, VA 143 |
| Major cities en route | Hampton, Norfolk, Chesapeake |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 97.941 vs 97.858 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $290,660 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Newport News (59.5Β°F) and Richmond (58.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.23 |
Households in Richmond earn about 0.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 647,440 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 Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 27.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 0.1% lower than Newport News (97.858 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 33m via I 64 and VA 195. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 6.1% lower 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 Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Richmond, VA.