Moving from Durham, NC to Cary, NC
The drive from Durham to Cary covers 19 mi in about 29 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
19 mi · 29 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 147, I 40, NC 54 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Cary and Durham are close on the overall BEA RPP (97.572 vs 98.157); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cary typical home at $626,396 is 0.6% above Durham at $396,395 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Durham | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 48.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.4°F vs 60.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 4.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.6% between Durham and Cary (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cary MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
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
When is the best time to move from Durham to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $396,395 in Durham — a 58.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cary, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 29 min via NC 147 and I 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $79,234 in Durham — a 63.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cary more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 0.6% higher than Durham (98.157 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 336,100 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 Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC · Cary, NC.