Best overall value
Key factors that impact the cost of your Lancaster to Raleigh move
What to know before moving from Lancaster to Raleigh
Moving from Lancaster to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Lancaster, itโs 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:
| Lancaster | Raleigh | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,600 | $1,670 |
| Average home value | $473,053 | $431,795 |
| Average income (per capita) | $74,723 | $2,572 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,540 | $6,077 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,562 | $6,077 |
| Unemployment rate | 15.6% | 4.3% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 7.25% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.5% |
- Rent prices in Raleigh are 36% lower than in Lancaster, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Raleigh.
Home prices in Raleigh are 8.7% lower than in Lancaster. - Income in Raleigh is 96.6% lower than in Lancaster, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Raleigh include State of North Carolina, WakeMed, and North Carolina State University.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Raleigh, since the cost of living for a single person in Raleigh is 139.3% higher than in Lancaster. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Raleigh, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 9.3% higher than in Lancaster.
- The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 72.44% lower than in Lancaster.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the cityโs sales taxes in Raleigh are 29.27% lower than in Lancaster.
- One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.17% lower than in Lancaster.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,177.56 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lancaster.
How life is different in Lancaster vs. Raleigh
| Raleigh | Lancaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 467,665 | 173,516 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 0 |
| Walkability score | 31 | 29 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 40 |
| Crime Index | 38.87 | 45.5 |
| Safety Index | 60.13 | 54.5 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- The population of Raleigh is about 170% greater than Lancaster, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Raleigh offers better access to buses and trains than Lancaster, based on public transportation ratings. Raleigh has a transit score of 4 out of 10 compared to 0 in Lancaster. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Youโll find Raleigh to be about as walkable as Lancaster. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 31 and 29 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- Raleigh and Lancaster are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 40 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Raleigh has a lower crime rate than Lancaster based on scores of 38.87 and Lancaster's 45.5, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Raleigh than in Lancaster, based on Raleighโs safety index of 60.13 versus 54.5 for Lancaster. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Raleigh isnโt as good as it is in Lancaster, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Raleigh has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Lancaster is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Lancaster vs. Raleigh move
- Weather: The climate in Raleigh 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 โC Numberโ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโs 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 Raleigh. 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 Raleigh
Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of Oaks", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Raleigh.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Raleigh
- Five Points
- North Raleigh
- Northwest Raleigh
- West Raleigh
Best neighborhoods for families
- Cameron Village
- Boylan Heights
- Hayes Barton
- Brier Creek
- Six Forks
Things to do in Raleigh
Once youโre settled into your new home in North Carolina, itโs time to get out and discover what Raleigh has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโs something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Raleigh features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the African American Cultural Complex, Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh, Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University, Haywood Hall House & Gardens, and Marbles Kids Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park, Yates Mill County Park, and JC Raulston Arboretum 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 Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), North Carolina FC (USL), North Carolina Courage (NWSL), or Carolina Mudcats (MiLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Raleigh?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Lancaster to Raleigh are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Lancaster are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Lancaster to Raleigh?
With many people choosing to move from Lancaster to Raleigh in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Lancaster to Raleigh take?
Moving from Lancaster, CA to Raleigh, NC covers 2,535 miles and usually takes seven to 21 days. Need to move faster? Some Lancaster movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Raleigh.
