Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Los Angeles, CA → Hampton, VA cover 2709 mi and about 47h 36m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2709 mi · 47h 36m 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 | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | 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 |
Hampton is 13.8% cheaper than Los Angeles overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hampton is 13.8% below Los Angeles — $952,183 vs $275,341 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Los Angeles (63.8°F) and Hampton (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.38 |
Income steps down 13.8%: $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $67,758 in Hampton.
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 — 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.
Frequently asked
Is Hampton more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 13.8% lower than Los Angeles (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hampton, VA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2709 mi and the route typically takes 47h 36m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 71.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 15.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 2709 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 14.1 in.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Hampton, VA.