Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Raleigh, NC
Relocating between Winston-Salem, NC and Raleigh, NC is a 105 mi drive β 2h 7m 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.
105 mi Β· 2h 7m by car Β· NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 421, US 220 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Durham, Greensboro, High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.6% above Winston-Salem β 92.043 β 98.157 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 49.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.6% β $57,673 β $82,424 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Raleigh average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 105 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 Raleigh compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 64.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 6.6% higher than Winston-Salem (98.157 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 42.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 105 mi and the route typically takes 2h 7m via I 40 and US 421. The trip crosses 1 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· Raleigh, NC.