Moving from Newport News, VA to Chesapeake, VA
It is a short 38 mi hop from Newport News, VA to Chesapeake, VA — roughly 1h 9m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
38 mi · 1h 9m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 664, US 60, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Chesapeake | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.941 vs 97.941 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $290,660 to $420,756 moving to Chesapeake.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Newport News | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 34°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 48.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Newport News (59.5°F) and Chesapeake (63.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.72 |
Chesapeake households earn about 0.0% more than Newport News at the median — $66,718 → $94,189 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chesapeake 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.
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-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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chesapeake average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $290,660 in Newport News — a 44.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Chesapeake?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 38 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chesapeake, VA from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 38 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via I 664 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $66,718 in Newport News — a 41.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA · Chesapeake, VA.