Moving from El Cajon, CA to Newport News, VA
It is 2690 mi and 47h 8m from El Cajon to Newport News β a cross-country move across 7 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.
2690 mi Β· 47h 8m 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 | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | Newport News | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.5% moving from El Cajon 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 $816,317 in El Cajon to $290,660 in Newport News, a 12.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 45.1" |
Expect 5.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.44 |
Household income lines up β $66,478 vs $66,718 on 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-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 Newport News compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon 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.
When is the best time to move from El Cajon 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 2690 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 Newport News compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 64.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Cajon vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 0.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 2690 mi and the route typically takes 47h 8m via I 40 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newport News more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 12.5% lower than El Cajon (97.941 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· Newport News, VA.