($1,109) Movers From Washington DC, MD to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Washington DC to Raleigh

Moving from Washington DC to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Washington DC, 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:

• Rent prices in Raleigh are 30% lower than in Washington DC, 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 Raleigh.
  Home prices in Raleigh are 27.3% lower than in Washington DC.
• Income in Raleigh is 97.5% lower than in Washington DC, 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 53.3% higher than in Washington DC. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 45.2% lower than in Washington DC.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 38.57% lower than in Washington DC.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 20.83% higher than in Washington DC.
• One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 21.74% lower than in Washington DC.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,600.30 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.

How life is different in Washington DC vs. Raleigh

• Raleigh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 34% less than Washington DC.
• Getting around Raleigh without a car might be more difficult than in Washington DC. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Washington DC is ranked 9. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Raleigh neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Washington DC. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Washington DC, which has a score of 77 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 Raleigh, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Washington DC. While Washington DC has a bike-friendliness score of 70 out of 100, Raleigh earned a 39. 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.
• Raleigh has a lower crime rate than Washington DC based on scores of 38.87 and Washington DC's 60.37, 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 Washington DC, based on Raleigh’s safety index of 60.13 versus 39.63 for Washington DC. 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 isn’t as good as it is in Washington DC, 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
• Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
• 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).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
• State regulator: You can check the status of a North Carolina moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: North Carolina doesn\’t require moving permits, but it\’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
• Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You’ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Raleigh. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Raleigh

Ready to relocate to "City of Oaks"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Raleigh.

Helpful moving resources