Moving from Concord, NC to Vallejo, CA

Cross-country relocations like Concord, NC β†’ Vallejo, CA cover 2728 mi and about 48h 30m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.

2728 mi Β· 48h 30m by car Β· CA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ NC

COL +11.4% Home values +36.2% Ξ” +0.9Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2728 mi
Drive time
48h 30m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
109 gal
Route throughCA β†’ AZ β†’ NM β†’ TX β†’ OK β†’ AR β†’ TN β†’ NC
Primary highwaysI 40, I 5, CA 58
Major cities en routeFairfield, Richmond, Oakland, Concord, Berkeley

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

ConcordVallejoU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.348108.479100.0
Rents89.164154.993100.0
Goods96.58105.168100.0
Services97.635142.042100.0

Overall cost of living in Vallejo is 11.4% higher than Concord, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Concord β€” typical home
$382,592
Vallejo β€” typical home
$520,970
Concord β€” typical rent
$1,733/mo
Vallejo β€” typical rent
$2,136/mo

Typical home value in Vallejo is 11.4% above Concord β€” $382,592 vs $520,970 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.

YoY change: Concord -1.9%, Vallejo -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsConcordVallejo
Annual avg temperature61Β°F62Β°F
January avg low29Β°F42Β°F
July avg high92Β°F85Β°F
Annual snowfall3.3"β€”
Annual precipitation47.9"21.5"

Annual average temperatures in Concord (60.7Β°F) and Vallejo (61.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CONCORD, NC US, VALLEJO, CA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023ConcordVallejo
Population106,518124,637
Median household income$84,752$89,496
Median age36.240
Bachelor's degree or higher25.3%19.7%
Avg household size2.882.84

Income steps up 11.4%: $84,752 in Concord vs $89,496 in Vallejo.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Concord MSA β€” median wage
$47,830
Vallejo MSA β€” median wage
$53,520
Concord MSA β€” employment
1,311,360
Vallejo MSA β€” employment
137,640

Top occupations in Vallejo MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 14,510 $51,200
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 13,960 $36,120
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 12,440 $43,450
Sales and Related Occupations 12,220 $37,910
Healthcare Support Occupations 10,450 $34,840

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between North Carolina and California

North Carolina income tax
4.25% top marginal
California income tax
13.3% top marginal

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 β€” 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 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.
  • Register to vote in California after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Vallejo compared to Concord?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $520,970 in Vallejo vs $382,592 in Concord β€” a 36.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Vallejo, CA from Concord, NC?

The driving distance is 2728 mi and the route typically takes 48h 30m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Vallejo compare to Concord?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA vs $47,830 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,311,360 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

When is the best time to move from Concord to Vallejo?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2728 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

Is Vallejo more expensive than Concord?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Vallejo is 11.4% higher than Concord (108.479 vs 97.348, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Concord vs Vallejo?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,496 in Vallejo vs $84,752 in Concord β€” a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Concord.

City profiles: Concord, NC Β· Vallejo, CA.

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