Moving from Torrance, CA to Newport News, VA
Cross-country relocations like Torrance, CA β Newport News, VA cover 2706 mi and about 47h 38m 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.
2706 mi Β· 47h 38m 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, I 81, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, Knoxville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Torrance | 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 |
Overall prices in Newport News are 13.8% below Torrance β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Newport News typical home at $290,660 is 13.8% under Torrance at $1,124,932 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Torrance +0.9%, Newport News +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Torrance | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 76Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.8" | 45.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: REDONDO BEACH, CA US, NEWPORT NEWS INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Torrance | Newport News |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,499 | 184,774 |
| Median household income | $113,105 | $66,718 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.2% | 17.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.8% between Torrance 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
- 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 the job market in Newport News compare to Torrance?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Newport News MSA vs $50,490 in the Torrance 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.
How much do homes cost in Newport News compared to Torrance?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $290,660 in Newport News vs $1,124,932 in Torrance β a 74.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Newport News, VA from Torrance, CA?
The driving distance is 2706 mi and the route typically takes 47h 38m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Torrance 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 2706 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Torrance vs Newport News?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,718 in Newport News vs $113,105 in Torrance β a 41.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Newport News more expensive than Torrance?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newport News is 13.8% lower than Torrance (97.941 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Torrance.
City profiles: Torrance, CA Β· Newport News, VA.