Moving from High Point, NC to Durham, NC
Moving from High Point, NC to Durham, NC covers 68 mi and about 1h 28m 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.
68 mi Β· 1h 28m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 70, I 85, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| High Point | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.865 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.065 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.519 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.1% pricier overall in Durham than High Point on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Durham typical home at $396,395 is 5.1% above High Point at $249,821 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: High Point +0.3%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | High Point | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 48.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.1Β°F vs 58.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HIGH PT, NC US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | High Point | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $61,228 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 37.8 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.7% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.34 |
Median household income in Durham is 5.1% above High Point ($61,228 vs $79,234, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Durham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 37,060 | $71,120 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,210 | $45,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 27,730 | $63,500 |
| Management Occupations | 27,600 | $133,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 27,050 | $82,000 |
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
- 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 household income compare in High Point vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $61,228 in High Point β a 29.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Durham compare to High Point?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $42,730 in the High Point MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 356,380 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Durham compared to High Point?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $249,821 in High Point β a 58.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Durham more expensive than High Point?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 5.1% higher than High Point (97.572 vs 92.865, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Durham, NC from High Point, NC?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 28m via US 70 and I 85. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from High Point to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 68 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from High Point.
City profiles: High Point, NC Β· Durham, NC.