Moving from Raleigh, NC to Cary, NC
It is a short 15 mi hop from Raleigh, NC to Cary, NC — roughly 25 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
15 mi · 25 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 440, US 1, SR 1652 |
| Major cities en route | Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Cary gets around 4.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.6 |
Cary households earn about 0.0% more than Raleigh at the median — $82,424 → $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 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
- 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 the job market in Cary compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cary, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 15 mi and the route typically takes 25 min via I 440 and US 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 15 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 57.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cary compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $626,396 in Cary vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 44.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Cary?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Cary vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.8 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 49.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Cary, NC.