Moving from St. Louis, MO to Cary, NC
The drive from St. Louis, MO to Cary, NC runs 789 mi β about 15h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
789 mi Β· 15h 15m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β KY β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β KY β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 460, US 150 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro, Durham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Cary | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for St. Louis (95.088) and Cary (98.157) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Cary -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, APEX, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Cary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 176,686 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $129,399 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 37.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.2% between St. Louis and Cary (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 Missouri 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cary, NC from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 789 mi and the route typically takes 15h 15m via I 64 and US 460. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Cary compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Cary MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Cary?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,399 in Cary vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 134.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cary more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cary is 3.2% higher than St. Louis (98.157 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Cary?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 789 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Cary, NC.