Moving from Palmdale, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Palmdale, CA → Hampton, VA cover 2665 mi and about 46h 57m of driving through 8 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.
2665 mi · 46h 57m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 97.941, putting Hampton roughly 13.8% below Palmdale on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Hampton: 13.8% below Palmdale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 47.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.38 |
Income steps down 13.8%: $81,151 in Palmdale vs $67,758 in Hampton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton 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 California 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2665 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 45.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hampton more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 13.8% lower than Palmdale (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hampton, VA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 2665 mi and the route typically takes 46h 57m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (3.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 7.3 in.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 16.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Hampton, VA.