Moving from Concord, CA to Palmdale, CA
The 362 mi from Concord to Palmdale translate to about 6h 52m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
362 mi Β· 6h 52m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 138, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Concord (115.613) and Palmdale (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Palmdale: 1.8% below Concord on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.56 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between Concord and Palmdale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $742,769 in Concord β a 32.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 1.8% lower than Concord (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $109,195 in Concord β a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 362 mi and the route typically takes 6h 52m via I 5 and CA 138. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 362 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· Palmdale, CA.