Moving from Hampton, VA to Orange, CA
Moving from Hampton, VA to Orange, CA is a 2693 mi cross-country relocation — about 47h 16m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2693 mi · 47h 16m 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 | Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Orange | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 16.0% pricier overall in Orange than Hampton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orange typical home at $1,143,788 is 16.0% above Hampton at $275,341 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Orange +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 12.5" |
Orange runs 6.3°F warmer on the annual average (59.8°F vs 66.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orange sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 138,723 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $116,945 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 3.09 |
Median household income in Orange is 16.0% above Hampton ($67,758 vs $116,945, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orange 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 — 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
- Dry climate: Orange sees only 12.5 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
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Orange?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Orange vs 59.8°F in Hampton (6.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 47.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Orange compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,143,788 in Orange vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 315.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Orange more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orange 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 Orange compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Orange 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 Orange?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2693 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Orange?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $116,945 in Orange vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 72.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Orange, CA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 2693 mi and the route typically takes 47h 16m 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 · Orange, CA.