Moving from Orlando, FL to Cary, NC
It is 621 mi between Orlando and Cary — roughly 11h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
621 mi · 11h 36m by car · FL → GA → SC → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → SC → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 40, I 4 |
| Major cities en route | Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 101.418 vs 98.157 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $374,136 to $626,396 moving to Cary.
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 48.3" |
Annual temperature drops 12.9°F moving to Cary per NOAA normals.
Cary averages 4.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.6 |
Cary households earn about 3.2% more than Orlando at the median — $69,268 → $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.
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.9°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
When is the best time to move from Orlando to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 621 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cary, NC from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 621 mi and the route typically takes 11h 36m via I 95 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Orlando and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 73.0°F in Orlando (12.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 51.5 in.
How does the job market in Cary compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cary more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 3.2% lower than Orlando (98.157 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 86.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 67.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Cary, NC.