Moving from Hampton, VA to Fresno, CA
It is 2825 mi and 49h 44m from Hampton to Fresno — 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.
2825 mi · 49h 44m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Fresno | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Expect 5.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fresno — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
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 | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.03 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 Fresno 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: Fresno 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
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2825 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Fresno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno 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.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno 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 far is Fresno, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2825 mi and the route typically takes 49h 44m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fresno more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno 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 much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 42.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 1.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA · Fresno, CA.