Moving from Memphis, TN to Concord, NC
The drive from Memphis, TN to Concord, NC runs 635 mi — about 11h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
635 mi · 11h 58m by car · TN → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 78, I 20 |
| 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
| Memphis | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.6% pricier overall in Concord than Memphis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Concord typical home at $382,592 is 5.6% above Memphis at $144,710 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 63.4°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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.6% between Memphis and Concord (ACS 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 Tennessee 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 635 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, NC from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 635 mi and the route typically takes 11h 58m via I 85 and US 78. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 65.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 5.6% higher than Memphis (97.348 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 164.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 63.4°F in Memphis (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 54.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Concord, NC.