Moving from Concord, NC to Philadelphia, PA
It is 524 mi between Concord and Philadelphia — roughly 10h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
524 mi · 10h 23m by car · PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → DE → MD → DC → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 95, I 395 |
| Major cities en route | Baltimore, Alexandria, Richmond, Raleigh, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.3% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $382,592 to $231,815 moving to Philadelphia.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 50.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Concord (60.7°F) and Philadelphia (57.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.36 |
Philadelphia households earn about 5.3% less than Concord at the median — $84,752 → $60,698 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $382,592 in Concord — a 39.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 5.3% higher than Concord (102.554 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 524 mi and the route typically takes 10h 23m via I 85 and I 95. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $84,752 in Concord — a 28.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 60.7°F in Concord (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 47.9 in.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 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 Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 524 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, NC · Philadelphia, PA.