Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Concord, CA
It is 2425 mi and 42h 35m from Chattanooga to Concord β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2425 mi Β· 42h 35m by car Β· TN β GA β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Concord is 26.4% more expensive than Chattanooga on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $319,579 in Chattanooga to $742,769 in Concord, a 26.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chattanooga | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.9Β°F vs 62.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 26.4% β $61,028 β $109,195 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Tennessee 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 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 much do homes cost in Concord compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $319,579 in Chattanooga β a 132.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Concord more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 26.4% higher than Chattanooga (115.613 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $61,028 in Chattanooga β a 78.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Concord, CA from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 2425 mi and the route typically takes 42h 35m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN Β· Concord, CA.