Moving from Orlando, FL to Concord, NC
The drive from Orlando, FL to Concord, NC runs 557 mi — about 10h 34m 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.
557 mi · 10h 34m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 77, I 26 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, Columbia, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Concord and Orlando is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Orlando and Concord are within 5% of each other ($374,136 vs $382,592 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 47.9" |
Climate cools by 12.3°F on the annual average — 73.0°F → 60.7°F.
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: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.0% between Orlando 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 Florida 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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.3°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
Is Concord more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 4.0% lower than Orlando (97.348 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 22.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 557 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 2.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 73.0°F in Orlando (12.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 51.5 in.
How far is Concord, NC from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 557 mi and the route typically takes 10h 34m via I 95 and I 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Concord, NC.