Moving from El Cajon, CA to Concord, CA
Relocating between El Cajon, CA and Concord, CA is a 498 mi drive β 9h 27m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
498 mi Β· 9h 27m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Fairfield, Vallejo, Oakland, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Cajon | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
El Cajon and Concord 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
Homes in Concord run about 3.3% cheaper β ZHVI $816,317 β $742,769 (2026-03).
YoY change: El Cajon -2.1%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Cajon | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 62.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EL CAJON, CA US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Cajon | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $66,478 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.3% β $66,478 β $109,195 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord 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.
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
- 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
How does the job market in Concord compare to El Cajon?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $53,090 in the El Cajon MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Concord, CA from El Cajon, CA?
The driving distance is 498 mi and the route typically takes 9h 27m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in El Cajon vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $66,478 in El Cajon β a 64.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than El Cajon?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 3.3% higher than El Cajon (115.613 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Cajon to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 498 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to El Cajon?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $816,317 in El Cajon β a 9.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Cajon.
City profiles: El Cajon, CA Β· Concord, CA.