Moving from Concord, NC to Santa Ana, CA
A 2427 mi cross-country move between Concord and Santa Ana is 42h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2427 mi · 42h 54m 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, US 270, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Concord | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.348 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.164 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.58 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.635 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.7% above Concord — 97.348 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Concord | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.3" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 12.5" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4°F moving to Santa Ana per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Ana — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $84,752 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.3% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 3.91 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana 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.
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
- Dry climate: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Concord to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2427 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Santa Ana?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Santa Ana vs 60.7°F in Concord (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.3 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 47.9 in.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $84,752 in Concord — a 4.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $382,592 in Concord — a 126.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 16.7% higher than Concord (113.566 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Concord, NC?
The driving distance is 2427 mi and the route typically takes 42h 54m via I 40 and US 270. 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 · Santa Ana, CA.