Moving from Wilmington, NC to Concord, CA
It is 2879 mi and 51h 4m from Wilmington to Concord β a cross-country move across 12 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.
2879 mi Β· 51h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Antioch, Oakland, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 19.9% above Wilmington β 96.422 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to rise 19.9% β $63,900 β $109,195 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 | 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 North Carolina 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.
- 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
- 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
How far is Concord, CA from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 2879 mi and the route typically takes 51h 4m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 78.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Concord more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 19.9% higher than Wilmington (115.613 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2879 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 Wilmington vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 70.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Concord, CA.