Moving from Concord, CA to Norfolk, VA
Cross-country relocations like Concord, CA β Norfolk, VA cover 2946 mi and about 52h 12m of driving through 11 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.
2946 mi Β· 52h 12m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO 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 NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Norfolk | 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 prices in Norfolk are 15.3% below Concord β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Norfolk typical home at $306,227 is 15.3% under Concord at $742,769 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 45.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.0Β°F vs 61.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.0 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.3% between Concord and Norfolk (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk 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.
Frequently asked
Is Norfolk more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk 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 Norfolk compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk 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 far is Norfolk, VA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2946 mi and the route typically takes 52h 12m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $109,195 in Concord β a 41.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $742,769 in Concord β a 58.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2946 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· Norfolk, VA.