Moving from Inglewood, CA to Wilmington, NC
A 2605 mi cross-country move between Inglewood and Wilmington is 46h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2605 mi Β· 46h 1m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Atlanta, South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Inglewood | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Wilmington at 96.422 vs Inglewood at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $763,568 to $416,159 moving to Wilmington.
YoY change: Inglewood +0.7%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Inglewood | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.8" | 60.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Inglewood (64.5Β°F) and Wilmington (64.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Wilmington gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Inglewood | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,575 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $71,029 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.4% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.93 | 2.15 |
Households in Wilmington earn about 15.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wilmington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,880 | $27,660 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,320 | $38,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,960 | $34,860 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,580 | $35,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,220 | $76,440 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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-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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wilmington average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Wilmington averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Inglewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $763,568 in Inglewood β a 45.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Wilmington more expensive than Inglewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 15.1% lower than Inglewood (96.422 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Wilmington, NC from Inglewood, CA?
The driving distance is 2605 mi and the route typically takes 46h 1m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Inglewood to Wilmington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2605 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Inglewood vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $71,029 in Inglewood β a 10.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Wilmington compare to Inglewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 6,185,570 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 Inglewood.
City profiles: Inglewood, CA Β· Wilmington, NC.