Moving from Bakersfield, CA to High Point, NC
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β High Point, NC cover 2485 mi and about 43h 34m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2485 mi Β· 43h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 270 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | High Point | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
High Point is 8.0% cheaper than Bakersfield overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in High Point is 8.0% below Bakersfield β $396,047 vs $249,821 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Bakersfield (65.1Β°F) and High Point (61.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
High Point averages 1.9 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: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.56 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.0% between Bakersfield and High Point (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
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 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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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 High Point compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 36.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 20.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2485 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is High Point, NC from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2485 mi and the route typically takes 43h 34m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is High Point more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 8.0% lower than Bakersfield (92.865 vs 100.886, 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· High Point, NC.