Moving from Cary, NC to Jacksonville, FL
Relocating between Cary, NC and Jacksonville, FL is a 465 mi drive — 8h 34m 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.
465 mi · 8h 34m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, NC 54 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.157 vs 99.484 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $626,396 to $282,895 moving to Jacksonville.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 47.6" |
Expect 11.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Jacksonville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.4% — $129,399 → $66,981 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- 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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 465 mi and the route typically takes 8h 34m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 465 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 60.1°F in Cary (11.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 48.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $626,396 in Cary — a 54.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $129,399 in Cary — a 48.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 1.4% higher than Cary (99.484 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 740,520 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 · Jacksonville, FL.