Moving from Sacramento, CA to Hampton, VA
A 2873 mi cross-country move between Sacramento and Hampton is 50h 33m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2873 mi · 50h 33m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → 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
| Sacramento | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.2% cheaper overall in Hampton than Sacramento on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 47.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Hampton gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.38 |
Households in Hampton earn about 8.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 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 — 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
- 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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Hampton, VA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 2873 mi and the route typically takes 50h 33m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 8.2% lower than Sacramento (97.941 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (3.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 19.2 in.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 2873 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 42.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Hampton, VA.