Moving from Atlanta, GA to Concord, NC
The 260 mi from Atlanta to Concord translate to about 5h 6m behind the wheel through 3 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
260 mi Β· 5h 6m by car Β· GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 29, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Concord and Atlanta is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Atlanta and Concord are within 5% of each other ($385,599 vs $382,592 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 47.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Atlanta (62.3Β°F) and Concord (60.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Concord averages 3.3 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.88 |
Median household incomes in Atlanta ($81,938) and Concord ($84,752) are within a few percent (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 | 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 Georgia 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 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
- 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 92Β°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 Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 0.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 260 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 Atlanta vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 3.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Concord more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 2.7% lower than Atlanta (97.348 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Concord, NC from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 260 mi and the route typically takes 5h 6m via I 85 and US 29. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Concord, NC.