Moving from Durham, NC to Wilmington, NC
Relocating between Durham, NC and Wilmington, NC is a 153 mi drive β 2h 52m 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.
153 mi Β· 2h 52m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, NC 147, US 117 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
Durham and Wilmington 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
Homes in Wilmington run about 1.2% pricier β ZHVI $396,395 β $416,159 (2026-03).
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 60.1" |
Expect 6.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Wilmington sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.15 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.2% lower in Wilmington than Durham.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wilmington MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,880 | $27,660 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,320 | $38,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,960 | $34,860 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,580 | $35,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,220 | $76,440 |
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 Wilmington average 90Β°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: Wilmington averages 60.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 far is Wilmington, NC from Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 153 mi and the route typically takes 2h 52m via I 40 and NC 147. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $79,234 in Durham β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Wilmington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 153 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Wilmington compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $396,395 in Durham β a 5.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Wilmington more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 1.2% lower than Durham (96.422 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Wilmington, NC.