Moving from Fairfield, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Hampton, VA cover 2910 mi and about 51h 26m of driving through 12 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.
2910 mi · 51h 26m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| 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
| Fairfield | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.479 to 97.941, putting Hampton roughly 9.7% below Fairfield on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Hampton: 9.7% below Fairfield on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 47.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.7% between Fairfield and Hampton (ACS 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — 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 far is Hampton, VA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2910 mi and the route typically takes 51h 26m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 9.7% lower than Fairfield (97.941 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 33.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 54.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2910 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Hampton, VA.