Moving from Durham, NC to Round Rock, TX
A move from Durham, NC to Round Rock, TX covers 1289 mi and around 23h 58m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1289 mi · 23h 58m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 85, US 80 |
| 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 | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Round Rock and Durham is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Durham and Round Rock are within 5% of each other ($396,395 vs $407,077 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Round Rock is 0.5% above Durham ($79,234 vs $97,187, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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
How far is Round Rock, TX from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 1289 mi and the route typically takes 23h 58m via I 20 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $79,234 in Durham — a 22.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 0.5% higher than Durham (98.066 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 Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1289 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $396,395 in Durham — a 2.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC · Round Rock, TX.