Moving from Concord, CA to Raleigh, NC
A 2836 mi cross-country move between Concord and Raleigh is 50h 11m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2836 mi Β· 50h 11m 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 | Durham, Cary, Greensboro, Winston Salem, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.1% moving from Concord to Raleigh β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $742,769 in Concord to $433,996 in Raleigh, a 15.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 49.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.0Β°F vs 61.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 4.5 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.39 |
Raleigh households earn about 15.1% less than Concord at the median β $109,195 β $82,424 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2836 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 15.1% lower than Concord (98.157 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $109,195 in Concord β a 24.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $742,769 in Concord β a 41.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2836 mi and the route typically takes 50h 11m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 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 Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Raleigh, NC.