Moving from Durham, NC to Laredo, TX
It is 1522 mi and 27h 49m from Durham to Laredo β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1522 mi Β· 27h 49m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.9% cheaper overall in Laredo than Durham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.9% β $79,234 β $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Laredo average 100Β°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 (16.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Laredo more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 10.9% lower than Durham (86.956 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $79,234 in Durham β a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 1522 mi and the route typically takes 27h 49m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $396,395 in Durham β a 44.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1522 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Laredo, TX.