Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Cary, NC
Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Cary, NC covers 99 mi and about 2h 4m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
99 mi Β· 2h 4m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 421, NC 150 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Cary is 6.6% higher than Winston-Salem, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cary is 6.6% above Winston-Salem β $264,333 vs $626,396 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Winston-Salem (59.5Β°F) and Cary (60.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Cary averages 4.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Cary is 6.6% above Winston-Salem ($57,673 vs $129,399, ACS 5-year 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 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
Is Cary more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 6.6% higher than Winston-Salem (98.157 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cary, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 2h 4m 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 Winston-Salem vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 124.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 137.0% 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· Cary, NC.