Moving from Orlando, FL to Raleigh, NC
A move from Orlando, FL to Raleigh, NC covers 614 mi and around 11h 25m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
614 mi · 11h 25m by car · NC → SC → GA → FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, FL 417 TOLL, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Orlando (101.418) and Raleigh (98.157) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Raleigh at $433,996 is 3.2% above Orlando at $374,136.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 49.4" |
Raleigh is 11.9°F cooler on the annual average (73.0°F vs 61.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Raleigh is 3.2% above Orlando ($69,268 → $82,424, ACS 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 (11.9°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 much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 16.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 614 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 73.0°F in Orlando (11.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 51.5 in.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 3.2% lower than Orlando (98.157 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 614 mi and the route typically takes 11h 25m via I 95 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 19.0% 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 Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Raleigh, NC.