Moving from Cary, NC to Greensboro, NC
Relocating between Cary, NC and Greensboro, NC is a 74 mi drive β 1h 36m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
74 mi Β· 1h 36m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, NC 54 |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Greensboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.4% moving from Cary to Greensboro β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $626,396 in Cary to $264,428 in Greensboro, a 5.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Greensboro -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 45.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.1Β°F vs 59.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, GREENSBORO WTP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 298,564 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $58,884 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.4% β $129,399 β $58,884 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greensboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
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
- 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Cary to Greensboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Greensboro more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greensboro is 5.4% lower than Cary (92.865 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Greensboro, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 36m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Greensboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,884 in Greensboro vs $129,399 in Cary β a 54.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Greensboro compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,428 in Greensboro vs $626,396 in Cary β a 57.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Greensboro compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 702,580 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC Β· Greensboro, NC.