Moving from Durham, NC to Cleveland, OH
It is 532 mi between Durham and Cleveland β roughly 10h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
532 mi Β· 10h 12m by car Β· OH β WV β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β WV β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 77, I 40, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Durham and Cleveland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,395 in Durham to $115,537 in Cleveland, a 3.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 33.3" |
Annual temperature drops 6.1Β°F moving to Cleveland per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 3.7% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Cleveland more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 3.7% lower than Durham (93.923 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $396,395 in Durham β a 70.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $79,234 in Durham β a 50.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 532 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 532 mi and the route typically takes 10h 12m via I 77 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Cleveland, OH.