Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Norman, OK
It is 1124 mi between Winston-Salem and Norman β roughly 20h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1124 mi Β· 20h 20m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β AR β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β AR β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 52, I 81 |
| 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 | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.043 vs 90.408 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $264,333 vs $262,839.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 37.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Winston-Salem (59.5Β°F) and Norman (60.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norman averages 4.1 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, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Households in Norman earn about 1.8% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Norman average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Norman more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 1.8% lower than Winston-Salem (90.408 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 0.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Norman, OK from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1124 mi and the route typically takes 20h 20m via I 40 and US 52. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1124 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Norman, OK.