Moving from Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC
The 132 mi from Wilmington to Raleigh translate to about 2h 29m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
132 mi · 2h 29m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 440, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Raleigh | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Wilmington (96.422) and Raleigh (98.157) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $416,159 vs $433,996 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 49.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Wilmington and Raleigh (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Raleigh more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 29.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 4.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (3.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 60.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 132 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh 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.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 132 mi and the route typically takes 2h 29m via I 40 and I 440. The trip crosses 1 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Raleigh, NC.