Moving from Palmdale, CA to Newport News, VA
Moving from Palmdale, CA to Newport News, VA is a 2656 mi cross-country relocation β about 46h 48m of driving through 8 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.
2656 mi Β· 46h 48m 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
| Palmdale | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Newport News is 13.8% cheaper than Palmdale 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 13.8% below Palmdale β $501,257 vs $290,660 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Palmdale (63.6Β°F) and Newport News (59.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Newport News is 13.8% below Palmdale ($81,151 β $66,718, ACS 2023).
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 Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 42.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 2656 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 Palmdale vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 17.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Newport News more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 13.8% lower than Palmdale (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Newport News, VA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 2656 mi and the route typically takes 46h 48m 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 Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Newport News, VA.