Moving from Greensboro, NC to Wilmington, NC
Moving from Greensboro, NC to Wilmington, NC covers 209 mi and about 3h 59m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
209 mi Β· 3h 59m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, US 117 |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Durham, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greensboro | Wilmington | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 96.422 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 87.902 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 93.215 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Greensboro (92.865) and Wilmington (96.422) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Wilmington: 3.8% above Greensboro on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Greensboro -0.1%, Wilmington -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greensboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.9" | 60.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Wilmington β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREENSBORO WTP, NC US, WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greensboro | Wilmington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 298,564 | 118,578 |
| Median household income | $58,884 | $63,900 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 29.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.15 |
Median household income in Wilmington is 3.8% above Greensboro ($58,884 β $63,900, ACS 2023).
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 Greensboro, NC?
The driving distance is 209 mi and the route typically takes 3h 59m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Wilmington compared to Greensboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $416,159 in Wilmington vs $264,428 in Greensboro β a 57.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Greensboro vs Wilmington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,900 in Wilmington vs $58,884 in Greensboro β a 8.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Wilmington more expensive than Greensboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wilmington is 3.8% higher than Greensboro (96.422 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Greensboro to Wilmington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 209 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 Greensboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA vs $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA, on total employment of 142,780 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greensboro.
City profiles: Greensboro, NC Β· Wilmington, NC.