Moving from Cary, NC to Killeen, TX
The drive from Cary, NC to Killeen, TX runs 1281 mi — about 23h 51m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1281 mi · 23h 51m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.157 to 91.132, putting Killeen roughly 7.2% below Cary on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Killeen: 7.2% below Cary on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 34.8" |
Climate warms by 6.5°F on the annual average — 60.1°F → 66.6°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Killeen — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.61 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.2% between Cary and Killeen (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 — 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Killeen average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does household income compare in Cary vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $129,399 in Cary — a 54.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Killeen more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 7.2% lower than Cary (91.132 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Killeen, TX from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1281 mi and the route typically takes 23h 51m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Killeen compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $626,396 in Cary — a 64.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1281 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Killeen?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Killeen vs 60.1°F in Cary (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 34.8 in vs 48.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Killeen, TX.