Moving from Raleigh, NC to Hampton, VA
It is a 199 mi drive, roughly 4h 2m, between Raleigh, NC and Hampton, VA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
199 mi · 4h 2m by car · NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 58, I 95, US 64 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.157 vs 97.941 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $433,996 to $275,341 moving to Hampton.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Raleigh (61.1°F) and Hampton (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.38 |
Households in Hampton earn about 0.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
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 North Carolina 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 36.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 17.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 199 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hampton more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 0.2% lower than Raleigh (97.941 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (1.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 49.4 in.
How far is Hampton, VA from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 199 mi and the route typically takes 4h 2m via US 58 and I 95. The trip crosses 2 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 Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Hampton, VA.