Moving from Hampton, VA to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 785 mi between Hampton and Tuscaloosa β roughly 15h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
785 mi Β· 15h 7m by car Β· VA β NC β SC β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β NC β SC β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, US 58 |
| 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Tuscaloosa at 87.722 vs Hampton at 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 10.4% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hampton | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 57.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Hampton (59.8Β°F) and Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hampton | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,334 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $67,758 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.1% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 10.4% less than Hampton at the median β $67,758 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Hampton vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $67,758 in Hampton β a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Hampton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Hampton, VA?
The driving distance is 785 mi and the route typically takes 15h 7m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Hampton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $275,341 in Hampton β a 16.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hampton to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 785 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Hampton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 10.4% lower than Hampton (87.722 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.