Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Hampton, VA
Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Hampton, VA covers 286 mi and about 6h 28m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
286 mi · 6h 28m by car · PA → DE → MD → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, DE 1 TOLL, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Hampton and Philadelphia is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hampton is 4.5% above Philadelphia ($275,341 vs $231,815 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Philadelphia | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Philadelphia (57.7°F) and Hampton (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Hampton averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Hampton is 4.5% above Philadelphia ($60,698 → $67,758, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hampton 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 Pennsylvania 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $231,815 in Philadelphia — a 18.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Hampton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 286 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $60,698 in Philadelphia — a 11.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hampton more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 4.5% lower than Philadelphia (97.941 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hampton, VA from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 286 mi and the route typically takes 6h 28m via US 13 and DE 1 TOLL. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Philadelphia and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 57.7°F in Philadelphia (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 16.1 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 50.7 in.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA · Hampton, VA.