($1,465) Movers From Raleigh, NC to San Jose, CA

What to know before moving from Raleigh to San Jose

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

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

• Rent prices in San Jose are 85% higher than in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh.
  Home prices in San Jose are 236.7% higher than in Raleigh.
• Income in San Jose is 3,143.4% higher than in Raleigh, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in San Jose include Cisco Systems, Western Digital, and Infineon Technologies.
• The cost of living for a single person in San Jose is 39.5% lower than in Raleigh. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to San Jose, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in San Jose is 37.5% higher than in Raleigh.
• The unemployment rate in San Jose is 53.49% higher than in Raleigh.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in San Jose, since the city’s sales taxes in San Jose are 29.38% higher than in Raleigh.
• State income taxes in San Jose are 195.56% higher than in Raleigh.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,813.72 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Raleigh.

How life is different in Raleigh vs. San Jose

• The population of San Jose is about 108% greater than Raleigh, 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.
• San Jose offers better access to buses and trains than Raleigh, based on public transportation ratings. San Jose has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 4 in Raleigh. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in San Jose means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Raleigh. San Jose is considered more walkable than Raleigh, with a score of 51 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Raleigh. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, San Jose is considered more bike-friendly than Raleigh in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, while Raleigh is rated as 39 out of 100.
• The crime rate in San Jose is higher than in Raleigh, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 47.73 in San Jose, it is 38.87 in Raleigh. 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 San Jose. With a crime index of 52.27, San Jose ranks lower in overall safety than Raleigh, whose index is Raleigh's 60.13. 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 San Jose and Raleigh 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 Raleigh vs. San Jose move

• Weather: San Jose, like most of the Bay Area, has warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters. The city is somewhat more sheltered from rain, giving it a semi-arid feel
• 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 toSan Jose 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 San Jose

Now that you’ve chosen "Man Jose" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in San Jose to check out.

Helpful moving resources