Moving from Brockton, MA to Raleigh, NC
It is 696 mi between Brockton and Raleigh — roughly 14h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 10 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.
696 mi · 14h 26m by car · NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ → NY → CT → RI → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ → NY → CT → RI → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Richmond, Alexandria, Baltimore |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brockton | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in Raleigh than Brockton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.3% under Brockton — $503,833 → $433,996 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Brockton +1.4%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brockton | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.3" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.2" | 49.4" |
Annual temperature rises 9.7°F moving to Raleigh per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BROCKTON, MA US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brockton | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $77,089 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.95 | 2.39 |
Households in Raleigh earn about 9.3% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh 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 Massachusetts 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.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Raleigh more expensive than Brockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 9.3% lower than Brockton (98.157 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Brockton and Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 51.4°F in Brockton (9.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 34.3 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 50.2 in.
How does household income compare in Brockton vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $77,089 in Brockton — a 6.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Brockton, MA?
The driving distance is 696 mi and the route typically takes 14h 26m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Brockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $503,833 in Brockton — a 13.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Brockton to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 696 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Brockton.
City profiles: Brockton, MA · Raleigh, NC.