Moving from Durham, NC to Jacksonville, FL
It is a 478 mi drive, roughly 8h 47m, between Durham, NC and Jacksonville, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
478 mi Β· 8h 47m by car Β· FL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 885 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 97.572 vs 99.484 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $396,395 to $282,895 moving to Jacksonville.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 47.6" |
Annual temperature rises 13.0Β°F moving to Jacksonville per NOAA normals.
Jacksonville gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.5 |
Households in Jacksonville earn about 2.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Jacksonville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 2.0% higher than Durham (99.484 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 478 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $396,395 in Durham β a 28.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $79,234 in Durham β a 15.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 478 mi and the route typically takes 8h 47m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Jacksonville, FL.