Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β Hampton, VA cover 2715 mi and about 47h 44m of driving through 8 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.
2715 mi Β· 47h 44m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Hampton and Bakersfield are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.886 vs 97.941); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hampton typical home at $275,341 is 2.9% under Bakersfield at $396,047 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 47.8" |
Climate cools by 5.3Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 59.8Β°F.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.38 |
Income steps down 2.9%: $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $67,758 in Hampton.
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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 12.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hampton more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 2.9% lower than Bakersfield (97.941 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2715 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 30.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2715 mi and the route typically takes 47h 44m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Hampton, VA.