Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Hampton, VA
Cross-country relocations like Santa Ana, CA → Hampton, VA cover 2697 mi and about 47h 22m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2697 mi · 47h 22m 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 | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Hampton is 13.8% cheaper than Santa Ana overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hampton is 13.8% below Santa Ana — $866,066 vs $275,341 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Ana | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 47.8" |
Climate cools by 6.3°F on the annual average — 66.1°F → 59.8°F.
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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.8% between Santa Ana and Hampton (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 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
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $88,354 in Santa Ana — a 23.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana 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 2697 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hampton compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Santa Ana and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 66.1°F in Santa Ana (6.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 12.5 in.
Is Hampton more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 13.8% lower than Santa Ana (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $866,066 in Santa Ana — a 68.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2697 mi and the route typically takes 47h 22m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA · Hampton, VA.