Moving from Wilmington, NC to Goodyear, AZ
Moving from Wilmington, NC to Goodyear, AZ is a 2301 mi cross-country relocation — about 40h 56m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2301 mi · 40h 56m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Goodyear is 7.1% higher than Wilmington, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Goodyear is 7.1% above Wilmington ($469,424 vs $416,159 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 7.4" |
Goodyear runs 9.5°F warmer on the annual average (64.4°F vs 73.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.87 |
Median household income in Goodyear is 7.1% above Wilmington ($63,900 vs $101,814, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (9.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 60.1 in.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 7.1% higher than Wilmington (103.316 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 12.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 2301 mi and the route typically takes 40h 56m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 59.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2301 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Goodyear, AZ.