Moving from Hampton, VA to Clovis, CA
Moving from Hampton, VA to Clovis, CA is a 2826 mi cross-country relocation — about 49h 52m of driving through 8 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.
2826 mi · 49h 52m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| 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
| Hampton | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Clovis and Hampton are close on the overall BEA RPP (97.941 vs 102.158); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Clovis typical home at $521,708 is 4.3% above Hampton at $275,341 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 11.0" |
Clovis runs 5.2°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°F vs 65.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.99 |
Median household income in Clovis is 4.3% above Hampton ($67,758 vs $100,360, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clovis average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Clovis more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 4.3% higher than Hampton (102.158 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 48.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 89.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Clovis, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2826 mi and the route typically takes 49h 52m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 59.8°F in Hampton (5.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 47.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2826 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 Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Clovis, CA.