Moving from Concord, CA to Durham, NC
Moving from Concord, CA to Durham, NC is a 2813 mi cross-country relocation β about 49h 45m of driving through 9 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2813 mi Β· 49h 45m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 97.572, putting Durham roughly 15.6% below Concord on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Durham: 15.6% below Concord on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 48.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.34 |
Median household income in Durham is 15.6% below Concord ($109,195 vs $79,234, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Concord to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2813 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Durham more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 15.6% lower than Concord (97.572 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Durham compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $742,769 in Concord β a 46.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $109,195 in Concord β a 27.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Durham, NC from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2813 mi and the route typically takes 49h 45m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Durham compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 2,422,210 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 Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Durham, NC.