Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Newport News, VA
Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Newport News, VA is a 2686 mi cross-country relocation β about 47h 13m 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.
2686 mi Β· 47h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β 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 | Newport News | 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 |
Newport News is 13.8% cheaper than Santa Ana overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Newport News is 13.8% below Santa Ana β $866,066 vs $290,660 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 45.1" |
Newport News is 6.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.1Β°F vs 59.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Newport News is 13.8% below Santa Ana ($88,354 vs $66,718, ACS 5-year 2023).
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 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 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 66.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2686 mi and the route typically takes 47h 13m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newport News more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News 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 does the job market in Newport News compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News 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.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana 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 2686 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Newport News, VA.