Moving from Lancaster, CA to Hampton, VA
A 2678 mi cross-country move between Lancaster and Hampton is 47h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2678 mi Β· 47h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Hampton at 97.941 vs Lancaster at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $465,847 to $275,341 moving to Hampton.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Lancaster (62.1Β°F) and Hampton (59.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.38 |
Households in Hampton earn about 13.8% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
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 California 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 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 40.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 2678 mi and the route typically takes 47h 1m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 13.8% lower than Lancaster (97.941 vs 113.566, 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Hampton, VA.