Moving from Cary, NC to Brownsville, TX
It is 1543 mi and 29h 9m from Cary to Brownsville β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1543 mi Β· 29h 9m 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 85, I 10, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.4% cheaper overall in Brownsville than Cary on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cary | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | β |
Expect 14.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.4% β $129,399 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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 (14.3Β°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 Brownsville more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 12.4% lower than Cary (85.975 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $626,396 in Cary β a 68.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $129,399 in Cary β a 62.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1543 mi and the route typically takes 29h 9m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1543 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC Β· Brownsville, TX.