Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Brownsville, TX
Relocating 1462 mi from Winston-Salem to Brownsville is a 27h 14m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1462 mi Β· 27h 14m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 10, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Concord, Charlotte, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Brownsville at 85.975 vs Winston-Salem at 92.043.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,333 to $195,993 moving to Brownsville.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | β |
Expect 14.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.21 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.6% lower in Brownsville than Winston-Salem.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1462 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 25.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 6.6% lower than Winston-Salem (85.975 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Brownsville, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1462 mi and the route typically takes 27h 14m via I 85 and I 10. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Brownsville, TX.