Moving from Concord, NC to Pasadena, CA
Moving from Concord, NC to Pasadena, CA is a 2419 mi cross-country relocation — about 42h 43m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2419 mi · 42h 43m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.348 in Concord to 113.566 in Pasadena, a 16.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Pasadena: 16.7% above Concord on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 20.1" |
Pasadena runs 5.3°F warmer on the annual average (60.7°F vs 66.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Pasadena is 16.7% above Concord ($84,752 vs $103,778, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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
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-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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Concord to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $84,752 in Concord — a 22.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 60.7°F in Concord (5.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 47.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $382,592 in Concord — a 216.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 2419 mi and the route typically takes 42h 43m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 16.7% higher than Concord (113.566 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, NC · Pasadena, CA.