Factors influencing moving costs from Montgomery to Durhamtoggle

The cost of Montgomery 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 Montgomery to Durham can be as low as $1,385 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 8,169.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Montgomery, 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 $528 to $1,228. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Montgomery to Durham

Moving from Montgomery to Durham comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Durham is generally more expensive than Montgomery, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Montgomery Durham
Average rent cost $1,200 $1,699
Average home value $140,563 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $49,989 $396,291
Cost of living (single person) $1,651 $2,803
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,569 $5,945
Unemployment rate 5.8% 4.1%
Sales tax 10.0% 7.5%
State income tax 5.0% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Durham are 42% higher than in Montgomery, 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 Montgomery.
    Home prices in Durham are 178.7% higher than in Montgomery.
  • Income in Durham is 692.8% higher than in Montgomery, 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.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Durham, since the cost of living for a single person in Durham is 69.8% higher than in Montgomery. 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 66.6% higher than in Montgomery.
  • The unemployment rate in Durham is 29.31% lower than in Montgomery.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Durham, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Durham are 25.00% lower than in Montgomery.
  • One perk of moving to Durham is paying less in state income taxes, which are 10.00% lower than in Montgomery.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,093.28 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Montgomery.

How life is different in Montgomery vs. Durham

Durham Montgomery
Population 283,506 200,603
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 2
Walkability score 30 26
Bike friendliness score 38 33
Crime Index 54.72 65.25
Safety Index 45.28 34.75
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Durham's population is about 41% greater than Montgomery.
  • Durham's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Montgomery's lower score of 2.
  • Durham is more walkable than Montgomery with a score of 30 out of 100 vs Montgomery's 26 out of 100.
  • With a score of 38 out of 100, Durham is more bike-friendly than Montgomery, which has a score of 33 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Durham's crime rate is lower than Montgomery with a score of 54.72 compared to Montgomery's 65.25. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Montgomery neighborhoods are safer than 65.25%.
  • Durham is considered to be safer than Montgomery with a safety index of 45.28 vs Montgomery's 34.75.
  • Air quality in Durham is good, and in Montgomery it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Montgomery 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

  • Golden Belt
  • City Center
  • Research Triangle 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 Montgomery to Durham?

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

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

Because most people are moving from Montgomery 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 Montgomery to Durham take?

The 544-mile move from Montgomery, AL, to Durham, NC, takes one to six days. Some Montgomery 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