Moving from Norfolk, VA to Concord, NC
It is a 316 mi drive, roughly 6h 21m, between Norfolk, VA and Concord, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
316 mi · 6h 21m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 58, US 460 |
| Major cities en route | Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norfolk | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.941 vs 97.348 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $306,227 to $382,592 moving to Concord.
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 47.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Norfolk (61.4°F) and Concord (60.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Concord averages 3.3 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.88 |
Concord households earn about 0.6% more than Norfolk at the median — $64,017 → $84,752 on 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 Virginia 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-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
- 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 much do homes cost in Concord compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 24.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk 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 316 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Concord more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 0.6% lower than Norfolk (97.348 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 45.7 in.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Concord, NC from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 316 mi and the route typically takes 6h 21m via I 85 and US 58. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 32.4% higher 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 Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · Concord, NC.