Moving from Concord, CA to Chesapeake, VA
It is 2965 mi and 52h 43m from Concord to Chesapeake β a cross-country move across 12 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.
2965 mi Β· 52h 43m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Chesapeake | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.3% moving from Concord to Chesapeake β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $742,769 in Concord to $420,756 in Chesapeake, a 15.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Chesapeake +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 48.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.0Β°F vs 63.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, FENTRESS NAAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Chesapeake |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 251,153 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $94,189 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.72 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 15.3% lower in Chesapeake than Concord.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chesapeake MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
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.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chesapeake average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 household income compare in Concord vs Chesapeake?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,189 in Chesapeake vs $109,195 in Concord β a 13.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chesapeake more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chesapeake is 15.3% lower than Concord (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chesapeake compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Chesapeake MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Chesapeake compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,756 in Chesapeake vs $742,769 in Concord β a 43.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Chesapeake, VA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2965 mi and the route typically takes 52h 43m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Chesapeake?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2965 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· Chesapeake, VA.