Best overall value
Local moving companies in Bakersfield
- Meathead Movers: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Mentors Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Hansen's Moving and Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Camelot Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Affordable Quality Moving and Storage: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Inaccurate estimates
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 0189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meathead Packers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Theft or lost items
- Lack of communication
Company Info
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 2911596
Alternate Names: Smooth Move & Smooth Move USA, Excel Relocation Systems
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 0130609
Years in Business: 53
DOT #: 2728836
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Insurance issues
- Unexpected charges
Company Info
State license #: 0150296
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 501984
Alternate Names: Camelot Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 188503
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 659014
Alternate Names: Affordable Quality Moving & Storage Company, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Bakersfield to Durham
What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Durham
Moving from Bakersfield to Durham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Durham is generally more expensive than Bakersfield, it'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:
| Bakersfield | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,699 |
| Average home value | $389,732 | $391,719 |
| Average income (per capita) | $73,827 | $396,291 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,493 | $2,803 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,940 | $5,945 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.5% |
- Rent prices are the same in Durham and Bakersfield.
- Home prices are the same in Durham and Bakersfield.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Durham, where incomes are, on average, 436.8% higher than in Bakersfield. Major 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 12.4% higher than in Bakersfield. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Durham can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 14.3% less than what it costs in Bakersfield.
- The unemployment rate in Durham is 30.51% lower than in Bakersfield.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Durham, since the city's sales taxes in Durham are 9.09% lower than in Bakersfield.
- One perk of moving to Durham is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.17% lower than in Bakersfield.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,373.04 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.
How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Durham
| Durham | Bakersfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 909,235 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 37 |
| Bike friendliness score | 38 | 44 |
| Crime Index | 54.72 | 58.49 |
| Safety Index | 45.28 | 41.51 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Durham might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 69% less than Bakersfield.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Durham will be about the same as it currently is in Bakersfield. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Durham neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Bakersfield. Based on its score of 30 out of 100, Durham isn't as walkable as Bakersfield, which has a score of 37 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Durham, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Bakersfield. While Bakersfield has a bike-friendliness score of 44 out of 100, Durham earned a 38. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in Durham as Bakersfield. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
- Durham is generally as safe as Bakersfield, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Durham and Bakersfield is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Bakersfield 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 “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: 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
Ready to relocate to City of The Viper? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Durham.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Golden Belt
- Warehouse District
- City Center
- Central Park
- Chapel Hill
Best neighborhoods for families
- Treyburn
- American Village/Arrowhead
- Willowhaven
- Fieldstone by the Eno
- Hope Valley Farms
Things to do in Durham
Now that you've made the move to North Carolina it's the perfect time to explore Durham From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- 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 city's West Point on the Eno, RollingView Falls Lake State Park, Durham Central Park, and Historic Durham Athletic Park — among other spots — 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 Bakersfield to Durham?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Bakersfield to Durham. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Bakersfield.
When is the cheapest time to move from Bakersfield to Durham?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Bakersfield to Durham moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Bakersfield to Durham take?
Covering 2,535 miles, the move from Bakersfield, CA to Durham, NC typically takes seven to 21 days. Some Bakersfield movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Durham can help bridge the gap.
