Moving from Concord, NC to Huntington Beach, CA

A 2436 mi cross-country move between Concord and Huntington Beach is 43h 7m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.

2436 mi Β· 43h 7m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ NC

COL +16.7% Home values +257.2% Ξ” +4.2Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2436 mi
Drive time
43h 7m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
97 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ NC
Primary highwaysI 40, US 270, US 74
Major cities en routeLong Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Anaheim

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

Cost of living

ConcordHuntington BeachU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.348113.566100.0
Rents89.164158.589100.0
Goods96.58106.623100.0
Services97.635170.433100.0

Huntington Beach runs about 16.7% more expensive overall than Concord β€” RPP 97.348 β†’ 113.566.

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

Housing prices

Concord β€” typical home
$382,592
Huntington Beach β€” typical home
$1,366,658
Concord β€” typical rent
$1,733/mo
Huntington Beach β€” typical rent
$3,026/mo

Zillow ZHVI climbs from $382,592 in Concord to $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach, a 16.7% increase on the typical home value.

YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsConcordHuntington Beach
Annual avg temperature61Β°F65Β°F
January avg low29Β°F49Β°F
July avg high92Β°F79Β°F
Annual snowfall3.3"β€”
Annual precipitation47.9"11.2"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 60.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023ConcordHuntington Beach
Population106,518196,010
Median household income$84,752$119,885
Median age36.243.4
Bachelor's degree or higher25.3%29.5%
Avg household size2.882.53

Huntington Beach households earn about 16.7% more than Concord at the median β€” $84,752 β†’ $119,885 on ACS 2023.

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

Jobs & wages

Concord MSA β€” median wage
$47,830
Huntington Beach MSA β€” median wage
$50,490
Concord MSA β€” employment
1,311,360
Huntington Beach MSA β€” employment
6,185,570

Top occupations in Huntington Beach MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 746,160 $48,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 570,740 $35,580
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 516,960 $40,560
Sales and Related Occupations 494,430 $39,510
Healthcare Support Occupations 461,490 $33,530

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between North Carolina and California

North Carolina income tax
4.25% top marginal
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

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 β€” 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
  • Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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

  • Dry climate: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
  • Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β€” 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

Is Huntington Beach more expensive than Concord?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach is 16.7% higher than Concord (113.566 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Huntington Beach, CA from Concord, NC?

The driving distance is 2436 mi and the route typically takes 43h 7m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Concord vs Huntington Beach?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $84,752 in Concord β€” a 41.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How does the job market in Huntington Beach compare to Concord?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Huntington Beach?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How much do homes cost in Huntington Beach compared to Concord?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $382,592 in Concord β€” a 257.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Plan the move

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

City profiles: Concord, NC Β· Huntington Beach, CA.

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