Moving from Concord, CA to San Diego, CA
It is a 486 mi drive, roughly 9h 12m, between Concord, CA and San Diego, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
486 mi Β· 9h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | San Diego | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
Concord and San Diego sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $742,769 in Concord to $1,001,265 in San Diego, a 3.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, San Diego -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.0Β°F vs 64.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 1,385,061 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $104,321 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.65 |
Household income lines up β $109,195 vs $104,321 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Diego MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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
- Dry climate: San Diego sees only 11.0 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
When is the best time to move from Concord to San Diego?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 486 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Diego compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the San Diego MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Diego compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,001,265 in San Diego vs $742,769 in Concord β a 34.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Concord vs San Diego?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,321 in San Diego vs $109,195 in Concord β a 4.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Diego more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Diego is 3.2% lower than Concord (111.887 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Diego, CA from Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 486 mi and the route typically takes 9h 12m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· San Diego, CA.