Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Concord, CA
A 2309 mi cross-country move between Tuscaloosa and Concord is 40h 43m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2309 mi Β· 40h 43m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Antioch, Oakland, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Concord is 31.8% above Tuscaloosa β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
31.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.72 |
Concord households earn about 31.8% more than Tuscaloosa at the median β $48,536 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.
Moving between Alabama 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
- 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.
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 Tuscaloosa to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2309 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Concord more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 31.8% higher than Tuscaloosa (115.613 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Concord, CA from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 2309 mi and the route typically takes 40h 43m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 224.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 125.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Concord, CA.