Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Winston-Salem, NC
It is 2157 mi and 38h 2m from Goodyear to Winston-Salem β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2157 mi Β· 38h 2m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.9% moving from Goodyear to Winston-Salem β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $469,424 in Goodyear to $264,333 in Winston-Salem, a 10.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Goodyear | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 107Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 43.2" |
Expect 14.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.9% β $101,814 β $57,673 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Arizona and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.4Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 2157 mi and the route typically takes 38h 2m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $469,424 in Goodyear β a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $101,814 in Goodyear β a 43.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 10.9% lower than Goodyear (92.043 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 271,620 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2157 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ Β· Winston-Salem, NC.