Moving from Newport News, VA to Fairfield, CA
Moving from Newport News, VA to Fairfield, CA is a 2900 mi cross-country relocation β about 51h 17m of driving through 12 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2900 mi Β· 51h 17m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Evansville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.941 in Newport News to 108.479 in Fairfield, a 10.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fairfield: 10.8% above Newport News on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 24.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 3.16 |
Median household income in Fairfield is 10.8% above Newport News ($66,718 vs $102,321, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 53.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 2900 mi and the route typically takes 51h 17m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Newport News to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2900 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 10.8% higher than Newport News (108.479 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 109.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Newport News.
City profiles: Newport News, VA Β· Fairfield, CA.