Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Killeen, TX
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Killeen, TX runs 1200 mi β about 22h 17m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1200 mi Β· 22h 17m 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 20, US 80, 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 | Killeen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 91.132 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 81.242 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 77.884 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Winston-Salem (92.043) and Killeen (91.132) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Killeen ZHVI at $219,957 is 1.0% below Winston-Salem at $264,333.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Killeen -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 34.8" |
Climate warms by 7.1Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 66.6Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Killeen β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, KILLEEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Killeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 156,144 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $58,339 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 30 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.61 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Killeen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,840 | $37,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,620 | $26,660 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 14,700 | $81,360 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,820 | $37,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,710 | $59,740 |
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 Killeen average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Killeen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1200 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 Killeen compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $219,957 in Killeen vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 16.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Killeen more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Killeen is 1.0% lower than Winston-Salem (91.132 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Killeen compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,230 in the Killeen MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 147,020 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Killeen, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1200 mi and the route typically takes 22h 17m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Killeen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,339 in Killeen vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 1.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Killeen, TX.