Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Raleigh, NC
Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Raleigh, NC covers 458 mi and about 8h 24m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
458 mi · 8h 24m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 440 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah, Fayetteville, Cary, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Raleigh and Jacksonville is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Raleigh is 1.3% above Jacksonville — $282,895 vs $433,996 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 49.4" |
Raleigh is 10.3°F cooler on the annual average (71.4°F vs 61.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Raleigh is 1.3% above Jacksonville ($66,981 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.
Moving between Florida 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3°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
Is Raleigh more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 1.3% lower than Jacksonville (98.157 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 458 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 458 mi and the route typically takes 8h 24m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 47.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 53.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 23.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Raleigh, NC.