Moving from Durham, NC to Raleigh, NC
It is a short 25 mi hop from Durham, NC to Raleigh, NC — roughly 33 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
25 mi · 33 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 885, I 440 |
| Major cities en route | Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Raleigh | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 97.572 vs 98.157 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Durham | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 49.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Durham (58.4°F) and Raleigh (61.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Raleigh averages 4.5 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.39 |
Median household incomes in Durham ($79,234) and Raleigh ($82,424) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does household income compare in Durham vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $79,234 in Durham — a 4.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh 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 far is Raleigh, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 33 min via I 40 and I 885. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $396,395 in Durham — a 9.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh 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.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Raleigh, NC.