Moving from San Jose, CA to Hampton, VA
Moving from San Jose, CA to Hampton, VA is a 2947 mi cross-country relocation — about 52h 7m 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.
2947 mi · 52h 7m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Hampton are 11.3% below San Jose — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hampton typical home at $275,341 is 11.3% under San Jose at $1,463,614 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 47.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.5°F vs 59.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 2.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.38 |
Median household income in Hampton is 11.3% below San Jose ($141,565 vs $67,758, 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 61.5°F in San Jose (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 16.1 in.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 2947 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hampton, VA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 2947 mi and the route typically takes 52h 7m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 52.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 81.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hampton more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 11.3% lower than San Jose (97.941 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Hampton, VA.