Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Fayetteville, NC
It is a 119 mi drive, roughly 2h 34m, between Winston-Salem, NC and Fayetteville, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
119 mi · 2h 34m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 421, NC 87, NC 150 |
| Major cities en route | High Point, Greensboro, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.043 vs 91.978 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 47.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Winston-Salem (59.5°F) and Fayetteville (61.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fayetteville averages 1.2 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.57 |
Median household incomes in Winston-Salem ($57,673) and Fayetteville ($56,395) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
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 Fayetteville 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
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem — a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 0.1% lower than Winston-Salem (91.978 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 119 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 119 mi and the route typically takes 2h 34m via US 421 and NC 87. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem — a 14.7% lower 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 · Fayetteville, NC.