Moving from Wilmington, NC to Cary, NC
Relocating between Wilmington, NC and Cary, NC is a 138 mi drive — 2h 39m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
138 mi · 2h 39m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 117, NC 132 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Wilmington 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 $416,159 in Wilmington to $626,396 in Cary, a 1.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 48.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 64.4°F vs 60.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.8% — $63,900 → $129,399 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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
- 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
Is Cary more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 1.8% higher than Wilmington (98.157 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 102.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 138 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cary, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 138 mi and the route typically takes 2h 39m via I 40 and US 117. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 50.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Cary, NC.