Moving from Cary, NC to Tuscaloosa, AL
Relocating 603 mi from Cary to Tuscaloosa is a 11h 28m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
603 mi Β· 11h 28m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 20, I 40 |
| 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.6% cheaper overall in Tuscaloosa than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 57.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.6% β $129,399 β $48,536 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- 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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 10.6% lower than Cary (87.722 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $626,396 in Cary β a 63.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 603 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 603 mi and the route typically takes 11h 28m via I 85 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $129,399 in Cary β a 62.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 103,520 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 Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.