($1,433) Movers From Chapel Hill, NC to Riverside, CA

What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Riverside

Moving from Chapel Hill to Riverside comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Riverside is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, 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 Riverside are 18% higher than in Chapel Hill, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Chapel Hill.
  Home prices in Riverside are 8.4% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• Income in Riverside is 17.0% higher than in Chapel Hill, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Riverside include Bourns, California Baptist University, and Riverside County Office of Education.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Riverside, since the cost of living for a single person in Riverside is 14.5% higher than in Chapel Hill. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Riverside, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Riverside is 17.0% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• The unemployment rate in Riverside is 121.88% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Riverside, since the city’s sales taxes in Riverside are 16.67% higher than in Chapel Hill.
• State income taxes in Riverside are 195.56% higher than in Chapel Hill.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,433.72 in Riverside to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.

How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Riverside

• The population of Riverside is about 398% greater than Chapel Hill, 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 Riverside without a car might be more difficult than in Chapel Hill. Riverside has a public transportation score of 5 out of 10, whereas Chapel Hill is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Living in Riverside means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chapel Hill. Riverside is considered more walkable than Chapel Hill, with a score of 43 out of 100 versus 34 out of 100 in Chapel Hill. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Riverside and Chapel Hill are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 49 and 50 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.
• The crime rate in Riverside is higher than in Chapel Hill, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 40.24 in Riverside, it is 26.42 in Chapel Hill. 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 Riverside. With a crime index of 59.76, Riverside ranks lower in overall safety than Chapel Hill, whose index is Chapel Hill's 73.58. 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 Riverside and Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill vs. Riverside move

• Weather: Riverside has hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.
• 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in California, 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 toRiverside Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Riverside

Now that you’ve chosen "City of Arts and Innovation" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Riverside to check out.

Helpful moving resources