Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Raleigh, NC
The 75 mi from Fayetteville to Raleigh translate to about 1h 33m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
75 mi · 1h 33m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 95, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Raleigh is 6.7% higher than Fayetteville, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Raleigh is 6.7% above Fayetteville — $225,534 vs $433,996 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fayetteville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 49.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Fayetteville (61.9°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: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.7% between Fayetteville and Raleigh (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 the job market in Raleigh compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 6.7% higher than Fayetteville (98.157 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $56,395 in Fayetteville — a 46.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fayetteville and Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 61.9°F in Fayetteville (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 1.2 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 47.9 in.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 75 mi and the route typically takes 1h 33m via I 40 and I 95. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville 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 75 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $225,534 in Fayetteville — a 92.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC · Raleigh, NC.