Moving from Alexandria, VA to Cary, NC
Moving from Alexandria, VA to Cary, NC covers 269 mi and about 5h 14m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
269 mi · 5h 14m by car · NC → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 95, US 15 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Cary is 9.9% cheaper than Alexandria overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cary is 9.9% below Alexandria ($626,396 vs $676,205 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Alexandria (59.3°F) and Cary (60.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Cary averages 4.8 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: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Cary is 9.9% above Alexandria ($113,638 → $129,399, ACS 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.
Moving between Virginia and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Cary more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 9.9% lower than Alexandria (98.157 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cary, NC from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 269 mi and the route typically takes 5h 14m via I 85 and I 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 13.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 7.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 41.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Cary, NC.