Moving from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville, FL
Moving from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville, FL covers 436 mi and about 8h 7m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
436 mi · 8h 7m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 74, NC 130 |
| Major cities en route | Savannah |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Wilmington (96.422) and Jacksonville (99.484) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Jacksonville: 3.2% below Wilmington on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 47.6" |
Jacksonville runs 7.0°F warmer on the annual average (64.4°F vs 71.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Jacksonville — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.5 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (7.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 60.1 in.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 3.2% higher than Wilmington (99.484 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 436 mi and the route typically takes 8h 7m via I 95 and US 74. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 4.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 32.0% lower 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 · Jacksonville, FL.