Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Newport News, VA
A 2949 mi cross-country move between Santa Clara and Newport News is 52h 13m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2949 mi Β· 52h 13m by car Β· VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Newport News | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.3% cheaper overall in Newport News than Santa Clara on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 45.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.44 |
Newport News households earn about 11.3% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $66,718 on ACS 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 61.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Newport News more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 11.3% lower than Santa Clara (97.941 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 2949 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 Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 2949 mi and the route typically takes 52h 13m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Newport News compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara 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 Newport News compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 83.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Newport News, VA.