Moving from Hampton, VA to Lancaster, CA
A 2678 mi cross-country move between Hampton and Lancaster is 47h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2678 mi Β· 47h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Lancaster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.0% above Hampton β 97.941 β 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hampton | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 6.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.26 |
Households in Lancaster earn about 16.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 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
- 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 Lancaster average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 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 β 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
How much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $275,341 in Hampton β a 69.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Lancaster?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $67,758 in Hampton β a 12.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lancaster, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2678 mi and the route typically takes 47h 1m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lancaster more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lancaster is 16.0% higher than Hampton (113.566 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lancaster compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Β· Lancaster, CA.