Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Durham, NC
It is a 75 mi drive, roughly 1h 49m, between Fayetteville, NC and Durham, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
75 mi · 1h 49m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 210, NC 540 TOLL, US 401 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.1% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $225,534 to $396,395 moving to Durham.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fayetteville | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 48.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Fayetteville (61.9°F) and Durham (58.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.34 |
Durham households earn about 6.1% more than Fayetteville at the median — $56,395 → $79,234 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
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
How much do homes cost in Durham compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $225,534 in Fayetteville — a 75.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $56,395 in Fayetteville — a 40.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 75 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Durham compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Durham, NC from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 75 mi and the route typically takes 1h 49m via NC 210 and NC 540 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Durham more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 6.1% higher than Fayetteville (97.572 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC · Durham, NC.