Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Laredo, TX
It is 1458 mi between Winston-Salem and Laredo β roughly 26h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1458 mi Β· 26h 41m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 85, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Sugar Land, Houston, Pearland, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.5% moving from Winston-Salem to Laredo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Laredo run about 5.5% cheaper β ZHVI $264,333 β $220,331 (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.5Β°F β 59.5Β°F in Winston-Salem vs 75.0Β°F in Laredo, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.36 |
Households in Laredo earn about 5.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Laredo more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 5.5% lower than Winston-Salem (86.956 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1458 mi and the route typically takes 26h 41m via I 10 and I 85. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 16.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1458 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 9.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Laredo, TX.