Moving from Concord, NC to Fairfield, CA
A 2742 mi cross-country move between Concord and Fairfield is 48h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2742 mi · 48h 31m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO → IL → KY → TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 24, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 11.4% above Concord — 97.348 → 108.479 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 24.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 11.4% more than Concord at the median — $84,752 → $102,321 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
What is the climate difference between Concord and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 60.7°F in Concord (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 47.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $382,592 in Concord — a 59.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 11.4% higher than Concord (108.479 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 2742 mi and the route typically takes 48h 31m via I 80 and I 24. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 137,640 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 Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $84,752 in Concord — a 20.7% higher 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 · Fairfield, CA.