Moving from Cary, NC to Round Rock, TX
The drive from Cary, NC to Round Rock, TX runs 1306 mi — about 24h 20m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1306 mi · 24h 20m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Round Rock and Cary is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Round Rock is 0.1% below Cary — $626,396 vs $407,077 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.1% between Cary and Round Rock (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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
- 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
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1306 mi and the route typically takes 24h 20m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1306 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $129,399 in Cary — a 24.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 0.1% lower than Cary (98.066 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $626,396 in Cary — a 35.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Round Rock, TX.