Moving from Concord, CA to Alexandria, VA
Cross-country relocations like Concord, CA β Alexandria, VA cover 2802 mi and about 49h 19m of driving through 12 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.
2802 mi Β· 49h 19m by car Β· VA β MD β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β MD β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 108.884, putting Alexandria roughly 5.8% below Concord on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Alexandria ZHVI at $676,205 is 5.8% below Concord at $742,769.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 41.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 13.7 in of snowfall annually at Alexandria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.08 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Alexandria more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 5.8% lower than Concord (108.884 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $742,769 in Concord β a 9.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2802 mi and the route typically takes 49h 19m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $109,195 in Concord β a 4.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2802 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Alexandria, VA.