Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
It is a 119 mi drive, roughly 2h 34m, between Fayetteville, NC and Winston-Salem, 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.
119 mi · 2h 34m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 421, NC 87, NC 150 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 91.978 vs 92.043 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 0.1% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fayetteville | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 43.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Fayetteville (61.9°F) and Winston-Salem (59.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Fayetteville ($56,395) and Winston-Salem ($57,673) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
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 does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 271,620 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 0.1% higher than Fayetteville (92.043 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $56,395 in Fayetteville — a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 34m via US 421 and NC 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $225,534 in Fayetteville — a 17.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 119 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 Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC · Winston-Salem, NC.