Moving from Richmond, VA to Concord, NC
Moving from Richmond, VA to Concord, NC covers 276 mi and about 5h 14m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
276 mi · 5h 14m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 70, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Richmond (97.858) and Concord (97.348) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $369,646 vs $382,592 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 47.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Concord gets around 3.3 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.88 |
Median household income in Concord is 0.5% above Richmond ($62,671 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 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 does the job market in Concord compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Concord more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 0.5% lower than Richmond (97.348 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 58.9°F in Richmond (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 45.5 in.
How far is Concord, NC from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 276 mi and the route typically takes 5h 14m via I 85 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 35.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 3.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Concord, NC.