Moving from Wilmington, NC to South Fulton, GA
Relocating between Wilmington, NC and South Fulton, GA is a 433 mi drive — 8h 16m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
433 mi · 8h 16m by car · NC → SC → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 74, US 76 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Sandy Springs, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, South Fulton —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: South Fulton gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.76 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.8% — $63,900 → $81,798 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in South Fulton average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is South Fulton, GA from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 433 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 20 and US 74. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and South Fulton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in South Fulton vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 60.1 in.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 28.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington to South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 433 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in South Fulton compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is South Fulton more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 3.8% higher than Wilmington (100.058 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · South Fulton, GA.