Moving from Hampton, VA to Long Beach, CA
Cross-country relocations like Hampton, VA β Long Beach, CA cover 2709 mi and about 47h 39m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2709 mi Β· 47h 39m 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 | Huntington Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Los Angeles, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Long Beach | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.941 in Hampton to 113.566 in Long Beach, a 16.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Long Beach: 16.0% above Hampton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hampton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 5.1Β°F on the annual average β 59.8Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 16.0% between Hampton and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach 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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 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 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
Is Long Beach more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach 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 Long Beach compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach 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.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2709 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $275,341 in Hampton β a 211.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $67,758 in Hampton β a 23.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2709 mi and the route typically takes 47h 39m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA Β· Long Beach, CA.