Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Raleigh, NC
Relocating 790 mi from Miami Gardens to Raleigh is a 14h 30m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
790 mi Β· 14h 30m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Fayetteville, Savannah, Jacksonville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 14.0% cheaper overall in Raleigh than Miami Gardens on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 14.0% under Miami Gardens β $469,434 β $433,996 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 49.4" |
Expect 14.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 14.0% β $60,979 β $82,424 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh 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.
Moving between Florida and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Raleigh average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 7.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 14.0% lower than Miami Gardens (98.157 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 35.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 790 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 790 mi and the route typically takes 14h 30m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 2,721,490 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 Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Raleigh, NC.