Moving from Cary, NC to Laredo, TX
A 1538 mi cross-country move between Cary and Laredo is 28h 14m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1538 mi · 28h 14m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.4% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Cary at 98.157.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $626,396 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 19.7" |
Annual temperature rises 14.9°F moving to Laredo per NOAA normals.
Laredo 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, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 11.4% less than Cary at the median — $129,399 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Laredo average 100°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 (14.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Cary and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 60.1°F in Cary (14.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 48.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $626,396 in Cary — a 64.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1538 mi and the route typically takes 28h 14m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Laredo more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 11.4% lower than Cary (86.956 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $129,399 in Cary — a 51.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1538 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Laredo, TX.