Moving from Concord, NC to Elizabeth, NJ

Relocating 594 mi from Concord to Elizabeth is a 11h 42m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.

594 mi · 11h 42m by car · NJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC

COL +15.6% Home values +39.7% Δ -5.2°F annual Δ +28.2" snow

Distance & route

Driving
594 mi
Drive time
11h 42m
States
6
Fuel (25 mpg)
24 gal
Route throughNJ → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC
Primary highwaysI 85, I 95, NJTP
Major cities en routeNew York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

ConcordElizabethU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.348112.563100.0
Rents89.164127.018100.0
Goods96.58110.261100.0
Services97.635148.616100.0

Elizabeth runs about 15.6% more expensive overall than Concord — RPP 97.348 → 112.563.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Concord — typical home
$382,592
Elizabeth — typical home
$534,667
Concord — typical rent
$1,733/mo
Elizabeth — typical rent
$2,264/mo

Zillow ZHVI climbs from $382,592 in Concord to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 15.6% increase on the typical home value.

YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsConcordElizabeth
Annual avg temperature61°F56°F
January avg low29°F26°F
July avg high92°F87°F
Annual snowfall3.3"31.5"
Annual precipitation47.9"46.6"

Expect 5.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023ConcordElizabeth
Population106,518135,887
Median household income$84,752$63,874
Median age36.235.8
Bachelor's degree or higher25.3%9.8%
Avg household size2.882.96

Expect median household income to fall 15.6% — $84,752 → $63,874 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Concord MSA — median wage
$47,830
Elizabeth MSA — median wage
$59,390
Concord MSA — employment
1,311,360
Elizabeth MSA — employment
9,495,240

Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,165,200 $50,760
Sales and Related Occupations 806,590 $46,160
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 755,900 $44,800
Healthcare Support Occupations 755,280 $37,670
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 725,930 $100,940

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between North Carolina and New Jersey

North Carolina income tax
4.25% top marginal
New Jersey income tax
10.75% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.

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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
  • 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

  • You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 3.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
  • 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Concord?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $382,592 in Concord — a 39.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from Concord to Elizabeth?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 594 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Elizabeth more expensive than Concord?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 15.6% higher than Concord (112.563 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

What is the climate difference between Concord and Elizabeth?

On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 60.7°F in Concord (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 47.9 in.

How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Concord, NC?

The driving distance is 594 mi and the route typically takes 11h 42m via I 85 and I 95. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Concord?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Concord vs Elizabeth?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $84,752 in Concord — a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.

City profiles: Concord, NC · Elizabeth, NJ.

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