Moving from Durham, NC to Orlando, FL
It is 634 mi between Durham and Orlando β roughly 11h 49m 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.
634 mi Β· 11h 49m by car Β· FL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Cary |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.9% under Durham β $396,395 β $374,136 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 51.5" |
Annual temperature rises 14.6Β°F moving to Orlando per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Orlando β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.46 |
Households in Orlando earn about 3.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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-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 92Β°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 β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β 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 does the job market in Orlando compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Orlando, FL from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 634 mi and the route typically takes 11h 49m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Orlando more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 3.9% higher than Durham (101.418 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 Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 634 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $396,395 in Durham β a 5.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $79,234 in Durham β a 12.6% 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· Orlando, FL.