Moving from Greensboro, NC to Raleigh, NC
Moving from Greensboro, NC to Raleigh, NC covers 80 mi and about 1h 40m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
80 mi Β· 1h 40m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, I 440 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greensboro | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.865 in Greensboro to 98.157 in Raleigh, a 5.7% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Raleigh: 5.7% above Greensboro on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Greensboro -0.1%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greensboro | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.9" | 49.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREENSBORO WTP, NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greensboro | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $58,884 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Raleigh is 5.7% above Greensboro ($58,884 vs $82,424, ACS 5-year 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 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.
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 91Β°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 far is Raleigh, NC from Greensboro, NC?
The driving distance is 80 mi and the route typically takes 1h 40m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Greensboro vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $58,884 in Greensboro β a 40.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Greensboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $264,428 in Greensboro β a 64.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Greensboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 5.7% higher than Greensboro (98.157 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Greensboro to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 80 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Greensboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greensboro.
City profiles: Greensboro, NC Β· Raleigh, NC.