Moving from Concord, CA to Sterling Heights, MI
It is 2393 mi and 41h 35m from Concord to Sterling Heights β a cross-country move across 9 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.
2393 mi Β· 41h 35m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Detroit, Warren, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Sterling Heights | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.2% cheaper overall in Sterling Heights than Concord on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Sterling Heights +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 32.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 35.0" |
Expect 13.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.2 in of snowfall annually at Sterling Heights.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Sterling Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 133,473 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $78,429 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.2% β $109,195 β $78,429 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sterling Heights MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Sterling Heights averages 32.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Sterling Heights compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,785 in Sterling Heights vs $742,769 in Concord β a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Sterling Heights?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,429 in Sterling Heights vs $109,195 in Concord β a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sterling Heights more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sterling Heights is 13.2% lower than Concord (100.298 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sterling Heights compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Sterling Heights MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2393 mi and the route typically takes 41h 35m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Sterling Heights?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2393 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Sterling Heights, MI.