Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Newport News, VA
Cross-country relocations like Santa Clarita, CA β Newport News, VA cover 2680 mi and about 47h 19m 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.
2680 mi Β· 47h 19m 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 | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Burbank, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 97.941, putting Newport News roughly 13.8% below Santa Clarita on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Newport News: 13.8% below Santa Clarita on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 45.1" |
Climate cools by 6.0Β°F on the annual average β 65.5Β°F β 59.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.8% between Santa Clarita and Newport News (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
- 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 Clarita vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita β a 44.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Newport News, VA from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 2680 mi and the route typically takes 47h 19m 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 Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 13.8% lower than Santa Clarita (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 Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Clarita 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 2680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita β a 63.8% 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 Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA Β· Newport News, VA.