Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Carrollton, TX
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Carrollton, TX runs 1121 mi β about 20h 3m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1121 mi Β· 20h 3m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.043 in Winston-Salem to 103.09 in Carrollton, a 12.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Carrollton: 12.0% above Winston-Salem on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 41.9" |
Climate warms by 6.3Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 65.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.0% between Winston-Salem and Carrollton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain 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 Carrollton average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1121 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1121 mi and the route typically takes 20h 3m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 12.0% higher than Winston-Salem (103.09 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 71.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 53.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Carrollton, TX.