Moving from Richmond, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Richmond, CA → Hampton, VA cover 2940 mi and about 52h 1m 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.
2940 mi · 52h 1m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Hampton is 15.3% cheaper than Richmond overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hampton is 15.3% below Richmond — $606,427 vs $275,341 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.8°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: RICHMOND, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.3% between Richmond and Hampton (ACS 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 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
- 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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Hampton, VA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2940 mi and the route typically takes 52h 1m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 15.3% lower than Richmond (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 54.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 2940 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 58.8°F in Richmond (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 24.4 in.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,422,210 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Hampton, VA.