Moving from Huntsville, AL to Hampton, VA
It is 730 mi between Huntsville and Hampton — roughly 13h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
730 mi · 13h 36m by car · AL → TN → GA → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → GA → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 64, US 11 |
| Major cities en route | Chattanooga, Knoxville, Richmond, Newport News, Norfolk |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.2% above Huntsville — 93.072 → 97.941 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Huntsville to Hampton — $287,569 vs $275,341 (2026-03).
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 47.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.38 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Alabama and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Hampton more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 5.2% higher than Huntsville (97.941 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hampton, VA from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 730 mi and the route typically takes 13h 36m via I 81 and I 64. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 4.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 730 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 4.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 54.3 in.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Hampton, VA.