Moving from Cary, NC to Wilmington, NC
It is a 138 mi drive, roughly 2h 39m, between Cary, NC and Wilmington, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
138 mi · 2h 39m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 117, NC 132 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Wilmington — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.15 |
Wilmington households earn about 1.8% less than Cary at the median — $129,399 → $63,900 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wilmington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,880 | $27,660 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,320 | $38,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,960 | $34,860 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,580 | $35,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,220 | $76,440 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Wilmington average 90°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: Wilmington averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
How far is Wilmington, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 138 mi and the route typically takes 2h 39m via I 40 and US 117. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $626,396 in Cary — a 33.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $129,399 in Cary — a 50.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Wilmington?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 138 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 Wilmington?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Wilmington vs 60.1°F in Cary (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 60.1 in vs 48.3 in.
How does the job market in Wilmington compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Wilmington more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 1.8% lower than Cary (96.422 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Wilmington, NC.