Moving from Cary, NC to Concord, CA
Cross-country relocations like Cary, NC β Concord, CA cover 2830 mi and about 50h 7m of driving through 9 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.
2830 mi Β· 50h 7m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 17.8% pricier overall in Concord than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 17.8% higher in Concord than Cary as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.1Β°F vs 62.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 17.8%: $129,399 in Cary vs $109,195 in Concord.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Concord, CA from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 2830 mi and the route typically takes 50h 7m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $129,399 in Cary β a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 17.8% higher than Cary (115.613 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2830 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $626,396 in Cary β a 18.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC Β· Concord, CA.