Moving from Cary, NC to Durham, NC
The drive from Cary to Durham covers 19 mi in about 29 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
19 mi · 29 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 147, I 40, NC 54 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Cary (98.157) and Durham (97.572) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Durham: 0.6% below Cary on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 48.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.34 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.6% between Cary and Durham (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is Durham more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 0.6% lower than Cary (97.572 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Durham, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 29 min via NC 147 and I 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Durham compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $129,399 in Cary — a 38.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Durham compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $626,396 in Cary — a 36.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 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 Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Durham, NC.