Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Expect to pay $660–$7,166 for a move from Detroit to Durham, with most moves taking one to six days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 657 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Durham to Detroit guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Detroit to Durham
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Detroit to go to Durham can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your MI to NC move
Local moving companies in Detroit
- Handle With Care Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Palmer Moving Services: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Campus Concepts: Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 359936
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 808976
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 114
DOT #: 511993
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 36269
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2582190
Alternate Names: Wondermove
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1673815
Alternate Names: Royal Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Detroit to Durham?
Detroit movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,513 - $4,478 | $911 - $2,224 | $587 - $1,099 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,676 - $7,166 | $1,528 - $3,268 | $660 - $1,277 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,098 - $10,265 | $2,173 - $4,073 | $856 - $1,627 |
Cost to hire movers from Michigan to North Carolina
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Michigan to North Carolina, you can expect to spend between $1,513 and $4,478. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $2,676 to $7,166 on the same route (MI to NC). Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Michigan to North Carolina typically runs between $5,098 and $10,265.
Cost of moving containers from Michigan to North Carolina
If you’re relocating from Michigan to North Carolina, you’ll typically spend between $911 and $2,224 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,528 up to $3,268. If you’re moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,173 and $4,073. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Michigan.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan to North Carolina
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $587 to $1,099. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $660 to $1,277, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Michigan to North Carolina costs around $856 to $1,627.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Detroit to Durham move
What to know before moving from Detroit to Durham
Moving from Detroit to Durham comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Durham is generally more expensive than Detroit, 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:
| Detroit | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,250 | $1,699 |
| Average home value | $73,156 | $391,719 |
| Average income (per capita) | $37,761 | $396,291 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,500 | $2,803 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,687 | $5,945 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.06% | 4.1% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 7.5% |
| State income tax | 4.25% | 4.5% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Durham, since prices are typically 36% higher than in Detroit.
- The home prices in Durham are 435.5% higher than in Detroit, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You’re likely to make a higher income living in Durham, where incomes are, on average, 949.5% higher than in Detroit. 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 12.1% higher than in Detroit. 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 11.1% less than what it costs in Detroit.
- The unemployment rate in Durham is 54.75% lower than in Detroit.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Durham, since its sales taxes are 25.00% higher than what you are paying in Detroit.
- State income taxes in Durham are 5.88% higher than in Detroit.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,363.60 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Detroit.
How life is different in Detroit vs. Durham
| Durham | Detroit | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 639,111 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 38 | 52 |
| Crime Index | 54.72 | 72.92 |
| Safety Index | 45.28 | 27.08 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Durham might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 56% less than Detroit.
- Getting around Durham without a car might be more difficult than in Detroit. Durham has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Detroit is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Durham neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Detroit. Based on its score of 30 out of 100, Durham isn't as walkable as Detroit, which has a score of 51 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 Detroit. While Detroit has a bike-friendliness score of 52 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.
- Durham has a lower crime rate than Detroit based on scores of 54.72 and Detroit's 72.92, 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 Durham than in Detroit, based on Durham's safety index of 45.28 versus 27.08 for Detroit. 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 Durham and Detroit 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 Detroit 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in North Carolina, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Durham Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
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
- Research Triangle Park
- Central Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Treyburn
- American Village/Arrowhead
- Willowhaven
- Fieldstone by the Eno
- Hope Valley Farms
Things to do in Durham
Once you're settled into your new home in North Carolina, it's time to get out and discover what Durham has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: Durham is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Duke University (ACC) and Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Durham?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Detroit to Durham are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Detroit. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Detroit to Durham?
Because most people are moving from Detroit to Durham in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Detroit to Durham take?
Moving from Detroit, MI to Durham, NC covers 657 miles and usually takes one to six days Need to move faster? Some Detroit movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Durham.
