Moving from Wilmington, NC to High Point, NC
It is a 219 mi drive, roughly 4h 13m, between Wilmington, NC and High Point, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
219 mi · 4h 13m by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 117, NC 132 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Greensboro, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | High Point | 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 price level is comparable — 96.422 vs 92.865 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $416,159 to $249,821 moving to High Point.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, High Point +0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 48.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Wilmington (64.4°F) and High Point (61.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
High Point averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, HIGH PT, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 115,263 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $61,228 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 37.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 21.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.56 |
Median household incomes in Wilmington ($63,900) and High Point ($61,228) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in High Point 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 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 far is High Point, NC from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 219 mi and the route typically takes 4h 13m via I 40 and US 117. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in High Point compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the High Point 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.
Is High Point more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in High Point is 3.7% lower than Wilmington (92.865 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and High Point?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in High Point vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (3.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 60.1 in.
How much do homes cost in High Point compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,821 in High Point vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs High Point?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,228 in High Point vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to High Point?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 219 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 · High Point, NC.