Moving from Tampa, FL to Cary, NC
It is 657 mi between Tampa and Cary — roughly 12h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
657 mi · 12h 26m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 301, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Tampa and Cary sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $374,888 in Tampa to $626,396 in Cary, a 2.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 48.3" |
Annual temperature drops 14.4°F moving to Cary per NOAA normals.
Expect 4.8 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.6 |
Cary households earn about 2.7% more than Tampa at the median — $71,302 → $129,399 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cary 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.4°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 far is Cary, NC from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 657 mi and the route typically takes 12h 26m via I 95 and US 301. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 67.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 74.5°F in Tampa (14.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 49.5 in.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 81.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 657 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cary more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 2.7% lower than Tampa (98.157 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Cary, NC.