Moving from Hampton, VA to Richmond, VA
Relocating between Hampton, VA and Richmond, VA is a 84 mi drive — 1h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
84 mi · 1h 43m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 195, VA 351 |
| Major cities en route | Newport News, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hampton | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.136 | 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
0.1% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Hampton | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 45.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.23 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.1% lower in Richmond than Hampton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $67,758 in Hampton — a 7.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Hampton and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 59.8°F in Hampton (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 47.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $275,341 in Hampton — a 34.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Richmond more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 0.1% lower than Hampton (97.858 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 84 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Richmond, VA from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 84 mi and the route typically takes 1h 43m via I 64 and VA 195. The trip crosses 1 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 · Richmond, VA.