Moving from Newport News, VA to Sacramento, CA
It is 2863 mi and 50h 23m from Newport News to Sacramento β a cross-country move across 11 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.
2863 mi Β· 50h 23m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newport News | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Sacramento runs about 8.9% more expensive overall than Newport News β RPP 97.941 β 106.67.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $290,660 in Newport News to $479,766 in Sacramento, a 8.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Newport News +1.4%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newport News | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.1" | 19.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.5Β°F vs 63.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newport News | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 184,774 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $66,718 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.63 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.9% β $66,718 β $83,753 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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-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 Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Sacramento, CA from Newport News, VA?
The driving distance is 2863 mi and the route typically takes 50h 23m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Newport News?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $46,990 in the Newport News MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2863 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Newport News vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $66,718 in Newport News β a 25.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Newport News?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 8.9% higher than Newport News (106.67 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Newport News?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $290,660 in Newport News β a 65.1% 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· Sacramento, CA.