Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Newport News, VA
It is 2688 mi and 47h 15m from Garden Grove to Newport News β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2688 mi Β· 47h 15m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.8% cheaper overall in Newport News than Garden Grove on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garden Grove | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 45.1" |
Expect 6.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.8% β $90,166 β $66,718 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove β a 71.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $90,166 in Garden Grove β a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garden 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 2688 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 Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 2688 mi and the route typically takes 47h 15m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newport News more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 13.8% lower than Garden Grove (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA Β· Newport News, VA.