Moving from Wilmington, NC to Durham, NC
It is a 153 mi drive, roughly 2h 52m, between Wilmington, NC and Durham, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
153 mi Β· 2h 52m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, NC 147, US 117 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Durham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 97.572 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 89.317 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 98.934 | 100.0 |
Wilmington and Durham sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Durham ($396,395) sits close to Wilmington ($416,159) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Durham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 48.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.0Β°F moving to Durham per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, DURHAM, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 288,465 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $79,234 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.34 |
Durham households earn about 1.2% more than Wilmington at the median β $63,900 β $79,234 on ACS 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
Is Durham more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Durham is 1.2% higher than Wilmington (97.572 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Durham compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,395 in Durham vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 4.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Durham compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,480 in the Durham MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 336,100 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Durham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 153 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Durham, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 153 mi and the route typically takes 2h 52m via I 40 and NC 147. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Durham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,234 in Durham vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 24.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Durham, NC.