Moving from Richmond, VA to Newport News, VA
Relocating between Richmond, VA and Newport News, VA is a 74 mi drive — 1h 33m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
74 mi · 1h 33m by car · VA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, VA 195, VA 143 |
| Major cities en route | Hampton, Norfolk, Chesapeake |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.858 vs 97.941 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $369,646 to $290,660 moving to Newport News.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 45.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.9°F) and Newport News (59.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.1% higher in Newport News than Richmond.
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.
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
- 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 does household income compare in Richmond vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 6.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 33m via I 64 and VA 195. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newport News more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 0.1% higher than Richmond (97.941 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 21.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Newport News?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Newport News, VA.