Moving from Newark, NJ to Concord, CA
Moving from Newark, NJ to Concord, CA is a 2880 mi cross-country relocation β about 50h 37m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2880 mi Β· 50h 37m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Newark | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Concord and Newark is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Concord is 2.7% above Newark β $478,455 vs $742,769 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Newark -0.8%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Newark | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 16.1" |
Concord runs 7.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (54.8Β°F vs 62.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Newark | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $48,416 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.2% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.7 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Concord is 2.7% above Newark ($48,416 vs $109,195, ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between New Jersey 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Newark to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2880 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Newark?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $59,390 in the Newark MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Concord more expensive than Newark?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 2.7% higher than Newark (115.613 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Newark?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $478,455 in Newark β a 55.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Concord, CA from Newark, NJ?
The driving distance is 2880 mi and the route typically takes 50h 37m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Newark vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $48,416 in Newark β a 125.5% 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 Newark.
City profiles: Newark, NJ Β· Concord, CA.