($1,510) Movers From San Jose, CA to Durham, NC

What to know before moving from San Jose to Durham

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

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

• Rent prices in Durham are 45% lower than in San Jose, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Durham.
  Home prices in Durham are 73.1% lower than in San Jose.
• Income in Durham is 375.0% higher than in San Jose, 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 23.7% lower than in San Jose. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Durham is 28.8% lower than in San Jose.
• The unemployment rate in Durham is 37.88% lower than in San Jose.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Durham, since the city’s sales taxes in Durham are 20.04% lower than in San Jose.
• One perk of moving to Durham is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.17% lower than in San Jose.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,288.79 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Jose.

How life is different in San Jose vs. Durham

• Durham's population is about 71% less than San Jose.
• Durham's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus San Jose's higher score of 7.
• Durham is less walkable than San Jose with a score of 30 out of 100 vs San Jose's 51 out of 100.
• Durham has a bike-friendliness score 38 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as San Jose, which has a score of 62 out of 100.
• Durham's crime rate is higher than San Jose with a score of 54.72 compared to San Jose's 47.73. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Jose neighborhoods are safer than 47.73%.
• Durham is considered to be less safe than San Jose with a score of 45.28 vs San Jose's 52.27.
• Air quality in Durham is good, and in San Jose it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Jose 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.
• 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.

Helpful moving resources