Things to know before moving from North Carolina to Lexington, KY

Cost of living: North Carolina vs Lexington, KY

North Carolina Lexington
Average rent cost $1,093 $1,345
Average home value $328,715 $309,021
Average income (per capita) $66,186 $61,526
Unemployment rate 4% 4%
State income tax 5% 4%
  • Rent is about 23% more expensive in Lexington than in North Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 6% lower in Lexington than in North Carolina.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Lexington than in North Carolina.
  • Lexington has a higher unemployment rate than North Carolina by about 16%.
  • Income taxes are 11% lower in Lexington than in North Carolina.

How life is different in Lexington from North Carolina

Lexington North Carolina
Population 320,347 10,835,491
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Republican 51-49
Summer high 86ºF 88ºF
Winter low 24ºF 29ºF
Annual rain 46" 48"
Annual snow 10" 4"
Crime index 50.88 24.69
  • The population of Lexington is approximately 97% lower than the population of North Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Lexington voted Democratic and North Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Lexington is 86ºF and in North Carolina, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Lexington reaches the temperature of 24ºF and North Carolina gets down to 29ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Lexington vs 48 inches of rainfall in North Carolina.
  • In Lexington, it snows about 10 inches annually vs 4 inches of snow in North Carolina.
  • Lexington has a higher crime rate than North Carolina with a crime index of 50.88 vs 24.69.

Things to do in Lexington

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Lexington.

Museums in Lexingtontoggle

  • Kentucky Horse Park
  • Mary Todd Lincoln House
  • Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
  • The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
  • Explorium of Lexington
  • Hopemont
  • Headley-Whitney Museum
  • University of Kentucky Art Museum
  • American Saddlebred Museum
  • Living Arts & Science Center

Parks in Lexingtontoggle

  • The Arboretum
  • Thoroughbred Park
  • Jacobson Park
  • Masterson Station Park
  • Shillito Park
  • Wellington Dog Park
  • Triangle Park

Sports Teams in Lexingtontoggle

  • Lexington Legends (ALPB)
  • Lexington SC (USL League One)

Universities in Lexingtontoggle

  • University of Kentucky
  • Transylvania University

Other considerations when moving to Lexington, KY

  • Weather: Lexington has hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters with occasional mild periods
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Kentucky does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Kentucky. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from North Carolina to Lexington take?

The time frame for a move from North Carolina to Lexington, KY, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in North Carolina, the longer the drive time to Lexington will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Lexington from North Carolina can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from North Carolina to Lexington?

Because of the 473-mile move, it’s best to book your move from North Carolina to Lexington as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Lexington, KY?

With the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 24ºF, most people move to Lexington from North Carolina during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Lexington during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources