Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Newport News, VA
Cross-country relocations like Elk Grove, CA β Newport News, VA cover 2872 mi and about 50h 42m of driving through 11 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.
2872 mi Β· 50h 42m 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
| Elk Grove | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Newport News is 8.2% cheaper than Elk Grove overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Newport News is 8.2% below Elk Grove β $637,450 vs $290,660 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) and Newport News (59.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 39 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.2% between Elk Grove and Newport News (ACS 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 Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 54.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Newport News more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 8.2% lower than Elk Grove (97.941 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 45.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove 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 2872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Newport News, VA from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2872 mi and the route typically takes 50h 42m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 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 Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Newport News, VA.