Moving from Wilmington, NC to Winston-Salem, NC
It is a 229 mi drive, roughly 4h 27m, between Wilmington, NC and Winston-Salem, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
229 mi Β· 4h 27m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 421, US 64 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Durham, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Winston-Salem | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 92.043 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 88.421 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 71.377 | 100.0 |
Wilmington and Winston-Salem sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $416,159 in Wilmington to $264,333 in Winston-Salem, a 4.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Winston-Salem +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 43.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.4Β°F vs 59.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 250,887 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $57,673 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.5 |
Households in Winston-Salem earn about 4.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Winston-Salem MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,440 | $40,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,960 | $36,300 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 26,050 | $31,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,820 | $27,550 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 24,350 | $78,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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-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
How far is Winston-Salem, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 229 mi and the route typically takes 4h 27m via I 40 and US 421. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Winston-Salem?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Winston-Salem compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,333 in Winston-Salem vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Winston-Salem is 4.5% lower than Wilmington (92.043 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 Winston-Salem?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 229 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Winston-Salem compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 271,620 and 142,780 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Winston-Salem, NC.