Moving from Cary, NC to Orlando, FL
Relocating 621 mi from Cary to Orlando is a 11h 36m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
621 mi · 11h 36m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.157 vs 101.418 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $626,396 to $374,136 moving to Orlando.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 51.5" |
Expect 12.9°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Orlando gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.3% — $129,399 → $69,268 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Orlando, FL from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 621 mi and the route typically takes 11h 36m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 60.1°F in Cary (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 48.3 in.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cary to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 621 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $129,399 in Cary — a 46.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Orlando more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 3.3% higher than Cary (101.418 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $626,396 in Cary — a 40.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Orlando, FL.