Moving from Concord, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL
Moving from Concord, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 462 mi and about 8h 49m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
462 mi Β· 8h 49m by car Β· AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Tuscaloosa are 9.9% below Concord β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tuscaloosa typical home at $228,947 is 9.9% under Concord at $382,592 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 64.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Tuscaloosa is 9.9% below Concord ($84,752 vs $48,536, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- 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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $382,592 in Concord β a 40.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 9.9% lower than Concord (87.722 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 Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 462 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 462 mi and the route typically takes 8h 49m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $84,752 in Concord β a 42.7% lower 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 Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.