Factors influencing moving costs from Huntsville to Durhamtoggle

The cost of Huntsville movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Huntsville to Durham can be as low as $1,414 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 8,169.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Huntsville, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $523 to $1,203. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Huntsville to Durham

Moving from Huntsville to Durham means adjusting to a different pace of life โ€” and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Huntsville than in Durham, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Huntsville compares to Durham so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Huntsville Durham
Average rent cost $1,409 $1,699
Average home value $266,736 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $60,959 $396,291
Cost of living (single person) $3,133 $2,803
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,140 $5,945
Unemployment rate 3.1% 4.1%
Sales tax 9.0% 7.5%
State income tax 5.0% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Durham are 21% higher than in Huntsville, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Huntsville.
    Home prices in Durham are 46.9% higher than in Huntsville.
  • Income in Durham is 550.1% higher than in Huntsville, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Durham include Duke University & Duke Univ. Health System, IBM, and Durham Public Schools.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Durham is 10.5% lower than in Huntsville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Durham, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Durham is 43.6% higher than in Huntsville.
  • The unemployment rate in Durham is 32.26% higher than in Huntsville.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Durham, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Durham are 16.67% lower than in Huntsville.
  • One perk of moving to Durham is paying less in state income taxes, which are 10.00% lower than in Huntsville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,684.01 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Huntsville.

How life is different in Huntsville vs. Durham

Durham Huntsville
Population 283,506 241,114
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 2
Walkability score 30 24
Bike friendliness score 38 40
Crime Index 54.72 42.55
Safety Index 45.28 57.45
Air Quality Good Good
  • Durham's population is about 18% greater than Huntsville.
  • Durham's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Huntsville's lower score of 2.
  • Durham is more walkable than Huntsville with a score of 30 out of 100 vs Huntsville's 24 out of 100.
  • Both Durham and Huntsville have the same bike-friendliness score of 40 out of 100, meaning Durham is about as safe for cyclists as Huntsville. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
  • Durham's crime rate is higher than Huntsville with a score of 54.72 compared to Huntsville's 42.55. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Huntsville neighborhoods are safer than 42.55%.
  • Durham is considered to be less safe than Huntsville with a score of 45.28 vs Huntsville's 57.45.
  • Air quality in Durham is good, and in Huntsville it's good.

Other things to consider for your Huntsville vs. Durham move

  • Weather: The climate in Durham is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Durham. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Durham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of The Viper", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Durham.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Warehouse District
  • City Center
  • Central Park
  • Chapel Hill
  • Northgate Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Treyburn
  • American Village/Arrowhead
  • Willowhaven
  • Fieldstone by the Eno
  • Hope Valley Farms

Things to do in Durham

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in North Carolina, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Durham has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Durham features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Museum of Life + Science, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Museum of Durham History, V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection, and Golden Belt.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s West Point on the Eno, RollingView Falls Lake State Park, Durham Central Park, and Historic Durham Athletic Park โ€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Duke University (ACC) and Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Huntsville to Durham?

The best time to move from Huntsville to Durham is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Huntsville.

When is the cheapest time to move from Huntsville to Durham?

Because most people are moving from Huntsville to Durham in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Huntsville to Durham take?

The 547-mile move from Huntsville, AL, to Durham, NC, takes one to six days. Some Huntsville movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Durham.

Helpful moving resources