Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Concord, CA
It is 1083 mi between Rio Rancho and Concord β roughly 19h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1083 mi Β· 19h 23m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Concord is 21.0% more expensive than Rio Rancho on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $361,856 in Rio Rancho to $742,769 in Concord, a 21.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.0Β°F vs 62.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 39 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
Concord households earn about 21.0% more than Rio Rancho at the median β $85,755 β $109,195 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 | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Mexico and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Concord compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1083 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 27.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Concord, CA from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 1083 mi and the route typically takes 19h 23m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 105.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 21.0% higher than Rio Rancho (115.613 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Concord, CA.