Moving from San Jose, CA to Concord, NC
It is 2678 mi and 47h 38m from San Jose to Concord — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2678 mi · 47h 38m 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, I 5, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.8% moving from San Jose to Concord — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,463,614 in San Jose to $382,592 in Concord, a 11.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.5°F vs 60.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.3 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.88 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.8% — $141,565 → $84,752 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 61.5°F in San Jose (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 16.1 in.
How does the job market in Concord compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 73.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 11.8% lower than San Jose (97.348 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Concord, NC from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 2678 mi and the route typically takes 47h 38m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 2678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 40.1% lower 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 San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Concord, NC.