Moving from Raleigh, NC to Concord, NC
The 149 mi from Raleigh to Concord translate to about 2h 52m behind the wheel through 1 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.
149 mi · 2h 52m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 85, US 29 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Concord and Raleigh are close on the overall BEA RPP (98.157 vs 97.348); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.8% lower in Concord than Raleigh as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.1°F vs 60.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.3 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.88 |
Household income lines up — $82,424 vs $84,752 on 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 | 150,700 | $43,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 147,550 | $37,460 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 135,930 | $37,730 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 110,080 | $82,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 109,770 | $29,110 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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-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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Concord average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 much do homes cost in Concord compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 11.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 2.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Concord more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 0.8% lower than Raleigh (97.348 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 49.4 in.
How far is Concord, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 149 mi and the route typically takes 2h 52m via I 40 and I 85. The trip crosses 1 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 Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Concord, NC.