Moving from Cary, NC to Concord, NC
It is a 116 mi drive, roughly 2h 44m, between Cary, NC and Concord, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
116 mi · 2h 44m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 49, US 64, US 64 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Charlotte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 47.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Concord gets around 3.3 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.88 |
Concord households earn about 0.8% less than Cary at the median — $129,399 → $84,752 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 | 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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cary vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $129,399 in Cary — a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 60.1°F in Cary (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 48.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Cary 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 116 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $626,396 in Cary — a 38.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 0.8% lower than Cary (97.348 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Concord, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 116 mi and the route typically takes 2h 44m via NC 49 and US 64. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 702,580 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Concord, NC.