Moving from Raleigh, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Moving from Raleigh, NC to Fayetteville, NC covers 75 mi and about 1h 33m by car through 1 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.
75 mi · 1h 33m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 95, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Fayetteville are 6.3% below Raleigh — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fayetteville typical home at $225,534 is 6.3% under Raleigh at $433,996 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.1°F vs 61.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.2 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.57 |
Median household income in Fayetteville is 6.3% below Raleigh ($82,424 vs $56,395, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Fayetteville average 91°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 does household income compare in Raleigh vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 31.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 6.3% lower than Raleigh (91.978 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 75 mi and the route typically takes 1h 33m via I 40 and I 95. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 75 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Fayetteville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Fayetteville vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.2 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 47.9 in vs 49.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Fayetteville, NC.