Moving from Charleston, SC to Concord, CA
It is 2758 mi and 49h 1m from Charleston to Concord β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2758 mi Β· 49h 1m by car Β· SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | North Charleston, Columbia, Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Charleston | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.5% above Charleston β 100.962 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Charleston +0.5%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Charleston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 44.3" | 16.1" |
Expect 5.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHARLESTON CITY, SC US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Charleston | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.5% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.5% β $90,038 β $109,195 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 South Carolina 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
How does household income compare in Charleston vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $90,038 in Charleston β a 21.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2758 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, CA from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 2758 mi and the route typically takes 49h 1m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $46,130 in the Charleston MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $589,607 in Charleston β a 26.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 14.5% higher than Charleston (115.613 vs 100.962, 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 Charleston.
City profiles: Charleston, SC Β· Concord, CA.