Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Newport News, VA
It is 2219 mi and 39h 35m from Salt Lake City to Newport News β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2219 mi Β· 39h 35m by car Β· UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β NE β MO β IL β IN β KY β WV β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Newport News | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Salt Lake City and Newport News sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,181 in Salt Lake City to $290,660 in Newport News, a 2.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 45.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.8Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 33 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.9% lower in Newport News than Salt Lake City.
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 Utah 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-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 β 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 much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 49.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Newport News more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 2.9% lower than Salt Lake City (97.941 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City 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 2219 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Newport News, VA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 2219 mi and the route typically takes 39h 35m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 11.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 803,800 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Newport News, VA.