Moving from Hampton, VA to Miami Gardens, FL
The drive from Hampton, VA to Miami Gardens, FL runs 960 mi β about 17h 55m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
960 mi Β· 17h 55m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 58, US 13 |
| Major cities en route | Norfolk, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.6% pricier overall in Miami Gardens than Hampton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Miami Gardens typical home at $469,434 is 16.6% above Hampton at $275,341 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hampton | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 68.3" |
NOAA normals show Miami Gardens running 16.2Β°F above Hampton on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.22 |
Income steps down 16.6%: $67,758 in Hampton vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $67,758 in Hampton β a 10.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $275,341 in Hampton β a 70.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 960 mi and the route typically takes 17h 55m via I 95 and US 58. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 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 Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 960 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 16.6% higher than Hampton (114.155 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.
City profiles: Hampton, VA Β· Miami Gardens, FL.