Moving from Cary, NC to Raleigh, NC
Relocating from Cary, NC to Raleigh, NC? The drive is 15 mi — about 25 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
15 mi · 25 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 440, US 1, SR 1652 |
| Major cities en route | Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.157 vs 98.157 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 0.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $626,396 to $433,996 moving to Raleigh.
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 49.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Cary (60.1°F) and Raleigh (61.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Raleigh averages 4.5 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: APEX, NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $129,399 → $82,424 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Cary 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 15 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 Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 60.1°F in Cary (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 48.3 in.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $129,399 in Cary — a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $626,396 in Cary — a 30.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 15 mi and the route typically takes 25 min via I 440 and US 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Raleigh, NC.