Moving from Raleigh, NC to Laredo, TX
Moving from Raleigh, NC to Laredo, TX is a 1544 mi cross-country relocation — about 28h 15m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1544 mi · 28h 15m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, US 90 |
| 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 | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Laredo are 11.4% 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: Laredo typical home at $220,331 is 11.4% under Raleigh at $433,996 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 13.9°F warmer on the annual average (61.1°F vs 75.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.36 |
Median household income in Laredo is 11.4% below Raleigh ($82,424 vs $63,264, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 warmer climate (13.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does the job market in Laredo compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Laredo more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 11.4% lower than Raleigh (86.956 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 49.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (13.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 49.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1544 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 23.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Laredo, TX from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 1544 mi and the route typically takes 28h 15m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Laredo, TX.