Moving from Concord, NC to Oakland, CA
It is 2711 mi and 48h 9m from Concord to Oakland — a cross-country move across 8 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.
2711 mi · 48h 9m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Oakland runs about 18.8% more expensive overall than Concord — RPP 97.348 → 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $382,592 in Concord to $716,248 in Oakland, a 18.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 45°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 72°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 22.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 60.7°F vs 59.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.53 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 18.8% higher in Oakland than Concord.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $382,592 in Concord — a 87.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $84,752 in Concord — a 14.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oakland more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland is 18.8% higher than Concord (115.613 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2711 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Oakland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.6°F in Oakland vs 60.7°F in Concord (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 22.6 in vs 47.9 in.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Oakland, CA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 2711 mi and the route typically takes 48h 9m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 8 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, NC · Oakland, CA.