Moving from Concord, NC to Richmond, VA
The 276 mi from Concord to Richmond translate to about 5h 14m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
276 mi · 5h 14m by car · VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, US 70, I 95 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Concord (97.348) and Richmond (97.858) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $382,592 vs $369,646 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 45.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Richmond gets around 8.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.23 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.5% between Concord and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina 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 — 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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.
Frequently asked
Is Richmond more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 0.5% higher than Concord (97.858 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $382,592 in Concord — a 3.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $84,752 in Concord — a 26.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 647,440 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Concord and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 60.7°F in Concord (1.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 47.9 in.
How far is Richmond, VA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 276 mi and the route typically takes 5h 14m via I 85 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 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 · Richmond, VA.