Moving from Irvine, CA to Concord, NC
Moving from Irvine, CA to Concord, NC is a 2425 mi cross-country relocation — about 42h 55m 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.
2425 mi · 42h 55m 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 | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Concord are 14.3% below Irvine — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Concord typical home at $382,592 is 14.3% under Irvine at $1,557,982 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.9°F vs 60.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.3 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.88 |
Median household income in Concord is 14.3% below Irvine ($129,647 vs $84,752, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 150,700 | $43,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 147,550 | $37,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 135,930 | $37,730 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 110,080 | $82,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,770 | $29,110 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Concord average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Concord compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Irvine to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, NC from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 2425 mi and the route typically takes 42h 55m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 64.9°F in Irvine (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 14.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 75.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 14.3% lower than Irvine (97.348 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 34.6% 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Concord, NC.