($1,411) Movers From Ann Arbor, MI to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Ann Arbor to Raleigh

Moving from Ann Arbor to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Ann Arbor, 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 26% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 9.1% lower than in Ann Arbor.
• Income in Raleigh is 96.2% lower than in Ann Arbor, 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 179.3% higher than in Ann Arbor. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Raleigh, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 13.7% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 22.86% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 20.83% higher than in Ann Arbor.
• State income taxes in Raleigh are 5.88% higher than in Ann Arbor.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,378.22 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How life is different in Ann Arbor vs. Raleigh

• The population of Raleigh is about 278% greater than Ann Arbor, 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.
• Getting around Raleigh without a car might be more difficult than in Ann Arbor. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Ann Arbor is ranked 7. 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 Ann Arbor. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Ann Arbor, which has a score of 52 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 Ann Arbor. While Ann Arbor has a bike-friendliness score of 71 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.
• The crime rate in Raleigh is higher than in Ann Arbor, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 38.87 in Raleigh, it is 31.0 in Ann Arbor. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Raleigh. With a crime index of 60.13, Raleigh ranks lower in overall safety than Ann Arbor, whose index is Ann Arbor's 79.18. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Raleigh and Ann Arbor is generally the same (Moderate). 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 Ann Arbor 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.

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