Moving from Greensboro, NC to Cary, NC
It is a 74 mi drive, roughly 1h 36m, between Greensboro, NC and Cary, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
74 mi Β· 1h 36m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, NC 54 |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Durham, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greensboro | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,428 to $626,396 moving to Cary.
YoY change: Greensboro -0.1%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greensboro | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.9" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Greensboro (59.8Β°F) and Cary (60.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Cary averages 4.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREENSBORO WTP, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greensboro | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $58,884 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.6 |
Cary households earn about 5.7% more than Greensboro at the median β $58,884 β $129,399 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cary 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 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
- 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
Is Cary more expensive than Greensboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 5.7% higher than Greensboro (98.157 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cary, NC from Greensboro, NC?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 36m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Greensboro vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $58,884 in Greensboro β a 119.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Greensboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Greensboro to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 74 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 Cary compared to Greensboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $264,428 in Greensboro β a 136.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greensboro.
City profiles: Greensboro, NC Β· Cary, NC.