Moving from Richmond, CA to Newport News, VA
Moving from Richmond, CA to Newport News, VA is a 2930 mi cross-country relocation β about 51h 53m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2930 mi Β· 51h 53m 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
| Richmond | Newport News | 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 |
Overall prices in Newport News are 15.3% below Richmond β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Newport News typical home at $290,660 is 15.3% under Richmond at $606,427 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 45.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.8Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Newport News is 15.3% below Richmond ($90,038 vs $66,718, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newport News 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 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.
Frequently asked
Is Newport News more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 15.3% lower than Richmond (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2930 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 Richmond vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 25.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News 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.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 52.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Newport News, VA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 2930 mi and the route typically takes 51h 53m 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· Newport News, VA.