Moving from Concord, NC to Rio Rancho, NM
Moving from Concord, NC to Rio Rancho, NM is a 1657 mi cross-country relocation β about 29h 47m of driving through 6 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.
1657 mi Β· 29h 47m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Rio Rancho | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Rio Rancho and Concord are close on the overall BEA RPP (97.348 vs 95.546); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 1.9% lower in Rio Rancho than Concord as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Rio Rancho +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Rio Rancho |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 9.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 58.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, RIO RANCHO #2, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Rio Rancho |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 106,533 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $85,755 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 20.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.72 |
Household income lines up β $84,752 vs $85,755 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rio Rancho MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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 20β30% 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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rio Rancho average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rio Rancho sees only 9.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Concord to Rio Rancho?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1657 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rio Rancho compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 396,030 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 Rio Rancho?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,755 in Rio Rancho vs $84,752 in Concord β a 1.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rio Rancho compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $361,856 in Rio Rancho vs $382,592 in Concord β a 5.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rio Rancho, NM from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 1657 mi and the route typically takes 29h 47m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rio Rancho more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rio Rancho is 1.9% lower than Concord (95.546 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 Β· Rio Rancho, NM.