Moving from Cary, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
Moving from Cary, NC to Winston-Salem, NC covers 99 mi and about 2h 4m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
99 mi · 2h 4m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 421, NC 150 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Winston-Salem is 6.2% cheaper than Cary overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Winston-Salem is 6.2% below Cary — $626,396 vs $264,333 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 43.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Cary (60.1°F) and Winston-Salem (59.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.5 |
Median household income in Winston-Salem is 6.2% below Cary ($129,399 vs $57,673, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
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
- 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 much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $626,396 in Cary — a 57.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m via I 40 and US 421. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $129,399 in Cary — a 55.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 6.2% lower than Cary (92.043 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 271,620 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 · Winston-Salem, NC.