Moving from Salinas, CA to Concord, CA
It is a 111 mi drive, roughly 2h 17m, between Salinas, CA and Concord, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
111 mi Β· 2h 17m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 680, CA 242 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Fremont, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salinas | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 109.042 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.157 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 145.669 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $747,758 vs $742,769.
YoY change: Salinas -1.1%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salinas | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.6" | 16.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Salinas (58.1Β°F) and Concord (62.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALINAS MUNICIPAL AP, CA US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salinas | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $89,150 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.71 | 2.72 |
Concord households earn about 6.0% more than Salinas at the median β $89,150 β $109,195 on ACS 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
Is Concord more expensive than Salinas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 6.0% higher than Salinas (115.613 vs 109.042, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Salinas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $747,758 in Salinas β a 0.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salinas vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $89,150 in Salinas β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Salinas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $44,570 in the Salinas MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 181,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salinas to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 111 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Concord, CA from Salinas, CA?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 2h 17m via US 101 and I 680. 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 Salinas.
City profiles: Salinas, CA Β· Concord, CA.