Moving from Raleigh, NC to Killeen, TX
It is 1287 mi between Raleigh and Killeen — roughly 23h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1287 mi · 23h 55m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.2% cheaper overall in Killeen than Raleigh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 34.8" |
Annual temperature rises 5.5°F moving to Killeen per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Killeen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.61 |
Killeen households earn about 7.2% less than Raleigh at the median — $82,424 → $58,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 49.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1287 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 Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (5.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 49.4 in.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Killeen more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 7.2% lower than Raleigh (91.132 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Killeen, TX from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 1287 mi and the route typically takes 23h 55m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 29.2% lower 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 Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Killeen, TX.