Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Hampton, VA
Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Hampton, VA is a 2736 mi cross-country relocation β about 48h 3m of driving through 7 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.
2736 mi Β· 48h 3m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 10, I 20 |
| 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
| Carlsbad | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Hampton is 12.5% cheaper than Carlsbad overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hampton is 12.5% below Carlsbad β $1,370,649 vs $275,341 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Carlsbad (62.5Β°F) and Hampton (59.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Hampton is 12.5% below Carlsbad ($139,326 vs $67,758, ACS 5-year 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 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 does the job market in Hampton compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hampton more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 12.5% lower than Carlsbad (97.941 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 51.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hampton, VA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 2736 mi and the route typically takes 48h 3m via I 40 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2736 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 79.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Hampton, VA.