Moving from Wilmington, NC to Greensboro, NC
Moving from Wilmington, NC to Greensboro, NC covers 209 mi and about 3h 59m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
209 mi Β· 3h 59m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 70, US 117 |
| Major cities en route | Winston Salem, High Point, Durham, Cary, Raleigh |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Greensboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Greensboro and Wilmington is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Greensboro is 3.7% below Wilmington β $416,159 vs $264,428 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Greensboro -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 30Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 45.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Wilmington (64.4Β°F) and Greensboro (59.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, GREENSBORO WTP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 298,564 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $58,884 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Greensboro is 3.7% below Wilmington ($63,900 β $58,884, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greensboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
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 Greensboro more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greensboro is 3.7% lower than Wilmington (92.865 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Greensboro compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,428 in Greensboro vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 36.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Greensboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,884 in Greensboro vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Greensboro, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 209 mi and the route typically takes 3h 59m via I 40 and US 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to Greensboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Greensboro compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Greensboro, NC.