Moving from San Mateo, CA to Newport News, VA
It is 2964 mi and 52h 33m from San Mateo to Newport News β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2964 mi Β· 52h 33m 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
| San Mateo | 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 cost of living drops 15.3% moving from San Mateo to Newport News β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $290,660 in Newport News, a 15.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 45.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.3% β $152,669 β $66,718 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 82.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Newport News, VA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2964 mi and the route typically takes 52h 33m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 2964 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Newport News more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 15.3% lower than San Mateo (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 56.3% 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Newport News, VA.