Moving from Stockton, CA to Hampton, VA
It is 2921 mi and 51h 27m from Stockton to Hampton — a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2921 mi · 51h 27m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → MO → IL → IN → KY → WV → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Antioch, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Hampton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Hampton at 97.941 vs Stockton at 105.089.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $431,328 to $275,341 moving to Hampton.
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Hampton -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Stockton | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 47.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Stockton (63.9°F) and Hampton (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, LANGLEY AFB, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Hampton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 137,334 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $67,758 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 17.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.38 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.8% lower in Hampton than Stockton.
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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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 the job market in Hampton compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Hampton MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hampton compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $275,341 in Hampton vs $431,328 in Stockton — a 36.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hampton, VA from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 2921 mi and the route typically takes 51h 27m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hampton more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hampton is 6.8% lower than Stockton (97.941 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Hampton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,758 in Hampton vs $76,851 in Stockton — a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Stockton 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 2921 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Stockton and Hampton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Hampton vs 63.9°F in Stockton (4.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.8 in vs 17.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA · Hampton, VA.