Key factors that influence moving costs from Durham to Wilmingtontoggle

The cost of Durham movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Durham to Wilmington might cost just $1,072 for a one-bedroom, but up to $6,654 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Durham, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $417 and $929, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Durham to Wilmington

Moving from Durham to Wilmington comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Wilmington is generally more expensive than Durham, itโ€™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:

Durham Wilmington
Average rent cost $1,699 $1,812
Average home value $391,719 $307,799
Average income (per capita) $396,291 $49,354
Cost of living (single person) $2,803 $3,533
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,945 $4,350
Unemployment rate 4.1% 10.3%
Sales tax 7.5% 0.0%
State income tax 4.5% 6.6%
  • Rent prices in Wilmington are 7% higher than in Durham, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Wilmington.
    Home prices in Wilmington are 21.4% lower than in Durham.
  • Income in Wilmington is 87.5% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Wilmington include Nestle, DuPont, and AstraZeneca.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Wilmington, since the cost of living for a single person in Wilmington is 26.0% higher than in Durham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Wilmington is 26.8% lower than in Durham.
  • The unemployment rate in Wilmington is 151.22% higher than in Durham.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Wilmington, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Wilmington are 100.00% lower than in Durham.
  • State income taxes in Wilmington are 46.67% higher than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,781.31 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Wilmington

Wilmington Durham
Population 70,898 283,506
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 4
Walkability score 74 30
Bike friendliness score 52 38
Crime Index 67.32 54.72
Safety Index 32.68 45.28
Air Quality Good Good
  • Wilmington might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Durham.
  • Wilmington offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Wilmington has a transit score of 6 out of 10 compared to 4 in Durham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
  • Living in Wilmington means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Wilmington is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 74 out of 100 versus 30 out of 100 in Durham. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • If cycling is your thing, Wilmington is considered more bike-friendly than Durham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Wilmington has a bike-friendliness score of 52 out of 100, while Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
  • The crime rate in Wilmington is higher than in Durham, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 67.32 in Wilmington, it is 54.72 in Durham. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Wilmington. With a crime index of 32.68, Wilmington ranks lower in overall safety than Durham, whose index is Durham's 45.28. 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 Wilmington and Durham 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 Durham vs. Wilmington move

  • Weather: Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.
  • 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 regulationsโ€”some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: Movers headquartered in Delaware that offer local and intrastate moving services donโ€™t need to be licensed. Still, they must comply with Delaware Department of Transportation (DDOT) regulations on insurance and commercial vehicle safety. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Delaware moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in Delaware, though it\โ€™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 toWilmington Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Selecting Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice, provided at no extra charge by movers, even though it offers limited coverage. Within this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. If you're concerned about the value of your possessions and require more extensive coverage, consider discussing alternative options with the moving company you've chosen or explore third-party insurance providers. Ensure comprehensive protection for your belongings during the move by exploring these additional coverage choices.
  • Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Wilmington

Now that youโ€™ve chosen "Chemical Capital of the World" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Wilmington to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Trolley Square
  • Happy Valley
  • Midtown Brandywine
  • Delaware Avenue
  • Trinity Vicinity

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Forty Acres
  • Happy Valley
  • Trolley Square
  • Lower Highlands
  • Wawaset Park/Wawaset Heghts

Things to do in Wilmington

After settling into your new Delaware home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Wilmington has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Wilmington is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Nemours Estate, Hagley Museum And Library, Delaware Children's Museum, Delaware Art Museum, and Rockwood Park & Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Bellevue State Park, Brandywine Park, Rockford Park & Tower, and Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Delaware Blue Coats (NBA G League), Wilmington Blue Rocks (MiLB), Delaware Black Foxes (USARL), or Bearfight FC of Wilmington (USASA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Durham to Wilmington?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Durham to Wilmington. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Durham.

When is the cheapest time to move from Durham to Wilmington?

Because spring and fall moves from Durham to Wilmington are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Durham to Wilmington take?

Covering 371 miles, the move from Durham, NC to Wilmington, DE typically takes one to four days. Some Durham movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWilmington can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources