Moving from Concord, NC to Cary, NC
Relocating between Concord, NC and Cary, NC is a 116 mi drive — 2h 44m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
116 mi · 2h 44m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 49, US 64, US 64 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.348 vs 98.157 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $382,592 to $626,396 moving to Cary.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Concord (60.7°F) and Cary (60.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Cary averages 4.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.8% — $84,752 → $129,399 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cary 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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cary compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $382,592 in Concord — a 63.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cary more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 0.8% higher than Concord (98.157 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cary, NC from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 116 mi and the route typically takes 2h 44m via NC 49 and US 64. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $84,752 in Concord — a 52.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 60.7°F in Concord (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 47.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, NC · Cary, NC.