Moving from Boulder, CO to Concord, CA
It is 1224 mi between Boulder and Concord β roughly 21h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1224 mi Β· 21h 5m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.9% above Boulder β 105.202 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 16.1" |
Annual temperature rises 10.5Β°F moving to Concord per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.72 |
Concord households earn about 9.9% more than Boulder at the median β $85,364 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 Colorado 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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1224 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 Boulder vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 27.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Concord, CA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1224 mi and the route typically takes 21h 5m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Concord more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 9.9% higher than Boulder (115.613 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 23.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Concord, CA.