Moving from Durham, NC to Fayetteville, NC
Relocating between Durham, NC and Fayetteville, NC is a 75 mi drive β 1h 49m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
75 mi Β· 1h 49m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NC 210, NC 540 TOLL, US 401 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Fayetteville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 91.978 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 87.779 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 73.081 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.7% moving from Durham to Fayetteville β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $396,395 in Durham to $225,534 in Fayetteville, a 5.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Fayetteville +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 47.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.4Β°F vs 61.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 1.2 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Fayetteville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 209,692 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $56,395 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 30.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 18.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.57 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.7% β $79,234 β $56,395 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fayetteville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,580 | $38,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,440 | $25,680 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,990 | $29,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,600 | $34,510 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,550 | $46,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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-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 Fayetteville average 91Β°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
How does the job market in Fayetteville compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 130,480 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fayetteville compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $225,534 in Fayetteville vs $396,395 in Durham β a 43.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fayetteville, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 75 mi and the route typically takes 1h 49m via NC 210 and NC 540 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fayetteville more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fayetteville is 5.7% lower than Durham (91.978 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Fayetteville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 75 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Fayetteville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $56,395 in Fayetteville vs $79,234 in Durham β a 28.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Fayetteville, NC.