Moving from Hampton, VA to Austin, TX
Moving from Hampton, VA to Austin, TX is a 1549 mi cross-country relocation — about 27h 43m of driving through 4 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.
1549 mi · 27h 43m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin and Hampton is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 0.1% above Hampton — $275,341 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 10.2°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°F vs 70.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 0.1% above Hampton ($67,758 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 84.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 59.8°F in Hampton (10.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 47.8 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 1549 mi and the route typically takes 27h 43m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 0.1% higher than Hampton (98.066 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 35.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1549 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 737,200 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Austin, TX.