Moving from Modesto, CA to Newport News, VA
It is 2905 mi and 51h 16m from Modesto to Newport News β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2905 mi Β· 51h 16m 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, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.9% moving from Modesto to Newport News β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $446,494 in Modesto to $290,660 in Newport News, a 5.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 45.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.1Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.9% lower in Newport News than Modesto.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newport News 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 the job market in Newport News compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 34.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 2905 mi and the route typically takes 51h 16m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newport News more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 5.9% lower than Modesto (97.941 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2905 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Newport News, VA.