Moving from Pasadena, CA to Concord, NC
Cross-country relocations like Pasadena, CA → Concord, NC cover 2419 mi and about 42h 43m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2419 mi · 42h 43m 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 | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | 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 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 97.348, putting Concord roughly 14.3% below Pasadena on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Concord: 14.3% below Pasadena on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 47.9" |
Climate cools by 5.3°F on the annual average — 66.0°F → 60.7°F.
Light snow year: Concord gets around 3.3 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.88 |
Income steps down 14.3%: $103,778 in Pasadena vs $84,752 in Concord.
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 much do homes cost in Concord compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 68.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 2419 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, NC from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 2419 mi and the route typically takes 42h 43m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 18.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 14.3% lower than Pasadena (97.348 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (5.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 20.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Concord, NC.