Moving from Hampton, VA to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Hampton, VA to Elizabeth, NJ covers 353 mi and about 7h 43m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
353 mi · 7h 43m by car · VA → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, NJTP, DE 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.9% pricier overall in Elizabeth than Hampton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elizabeth typical home at $534,667 is 14.9% above Hampton at $275,341 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.8°F vs 55.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 14.9% below Hampton ($67,758 → $63,874, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 2.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 5.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 94.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 59.8°F in Hampton (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 47.8 in.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 14.9% higher than Hampton (112.563 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 353 mi and the route typically takes 7h 43m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 353 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 · Elizabeth, NJ.