Moving from Rio Rancho, NM to Concord, NC
Cross-country relocations like Rio Rancho, NM β Concord, NC cover 1657 mi and about 29h 47m of driving through 6 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.
1657 mi Β· 29h 47m by car Β· NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rio Rancho | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.546 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.852 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.153 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rio Rancho (95.546) and Concord (97.348) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Concord at $382,592 is 1.9% above Rio Rancho at $361,856.
YoY change: Rio Rancho +0.3%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rio Rancho | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 29Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.5" | 47.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Concord gets around 3.3 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIO RANCHO #2, NM US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rio Rancho | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,533 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $85,755 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 39 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.7% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.88 |
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 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.
Moving between New Mexico and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Concord average 92Β°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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Concord compare to Rio Rancho?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $44,780 in the Rio Rancho MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 396,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Rio Rancho?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $361,856 in Rio Rancho β a 5.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rio Rancho to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1657 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rio Rancho vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $85,755 in Rio Rancho β a 1.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Concord, NC from Rio Rancho, NM?
The driving distance is 1657 mi and the route typically takes 29h 47m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Concord more expensive than Rio Rancho?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 1.9% higher than Rio Rancho (97.348 vs 95.546, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rio Rancho.
City profiles: Rio Rancho, NM Β· Concord, NC.