Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Newport News, VA
It is 2952 mi and 52h 18m from Sunnyvale to Newport News β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2952 mi Β· 52h 18m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Newport News at 97.941 vs Sunnyvale at 110.423.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $2,168,909 to $290,660 moving to Newport News.
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Sunnyvale (59.9Β°F) and Newport News (59.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.3% β $181,862 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 86.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 63.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 2952 mi and the route typically takes 52h 18m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Newport News more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 11.3% lower than Sunnyvale (97.941 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale 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 2952 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Newport News, VA.