Moving from Tampa, FL to Concord, NC
The drive from Tampa, FL to Concord, NC runs 593 mi — about 11h 23m 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.
593 mi · 11h 23m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 301, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Concord and Tampa 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 Tampa and Concord are within 5% of each other ($374,888 vs $382,592 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 47.9" |
Climate cools by 13.8°F on the annual average — 74.5°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: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.88 |
Income steps up 3.5%: $71,302 in Tampa 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 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 (13.8°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
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 2.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 74.5°F in Tampa (13.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 49.5 in.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 18.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 593 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, NC from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 593 mi and the route typically takes 11h 23m via I 95 and US 301. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Concord more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 3.5% lower than Tampa (97.348 vs 100.89, 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 Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Concord, NC.