Moving from St. Louis, MO to Durham, NC
A move from St. Louis, MO to Durham, NC covers 772 mi and around 14h 52m of driving through 7 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.
772 mi Β· 14h 52m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β KY β VA β WV β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β KY β VA β WV β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 460, US 150 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Durham and St. Louis is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 48.6" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°F) and Durham (58.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.34 |
Median household income in Durham is 2.6% above St. Louis ($55,279 vs $79,234, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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 Durham more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 2.6% higher than St. Louis (97.572 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 43.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Durham compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Durham, NC from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 772 mi and the route typically takes 14h 52m via I 64 and US 460. 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Durham, NC.