Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Concord, NC
It is 2421 mi and 42h 60m from Santa Clarita to Concord — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2421 mi · 42h 60m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX → OK → AR → TN → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 270, US 74 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 97.348 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 89.164 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.58 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 97.635 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Concord at 97.348 vs Santa Clarita at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $802,016 to $382,592 moving to Concord.
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Concord -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 3.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 47.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clarita (65.5°F) and Concord (60.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Concord averages 3.3 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, CONCORD, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 106,518 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $84,752 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 25.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.88 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.3% — $119,926 → $84,752 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 | 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 California 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $382,592 in Concord vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,830 in the Concord MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 1,311,360 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Concord?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Concord vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (4.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.3 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 16.8 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,752 in Concord vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 29.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Concord, NC from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 2421 mi and the route typically takes 42h 60m via I 40 and US 270. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Concord more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 14.3% lower than Santa Clarita (97.348 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita 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 2421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Concord, NC.