Moving from Ontario, CA to Newport News, VA
Cross-country relocations like Ontario, CA β Newport News, VA cover 2651 mi and about 46h 32m 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.
2651 mi Β· 46h 32m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Newport News is 8.0% cheaper than Ontario overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Newport News is 8.0% below Ontario β $672,742 vs $290,660 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 45.1" |
Climate cools by 7.3Β°F on the annual average β 66.8Β°F β 59.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.44 |
Income steps down 8.0%: $82,806 in Ontario vs $66,718 in Newport News.
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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 56.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Ontario 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 2651 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Newport News more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 8.0% lower than Ontario (97.941 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Newport News, VA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 2651 mi and the route typically takes 46h 32m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Newport News, VA.