($1,263) Movers From Durham, NC to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Durham to Rochester

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

Check out how Durham compares to Rochester so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Rochester are 26% lower than in Durham, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Rochester.
  Home prices in Rochester are 48.8% lower than in Durham.
• Income in Rochester is 83.8% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• The cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 18.9% lower than in Durham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 17.2% lower than in Durham.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 139.02% higher than in Durham.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 6.67% higher than in Durham.
• State income taxes in Rochester are 142.22% higher than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,433.82 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Rochester

• Rochester might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 25% less than Durham.
• Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester 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 Rochester means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Rochester is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 61 out of 100 versus 30 out of 100 in Durham. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Rochester 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. Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, while Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
• Rochester has a lower crime rate than Durham based on scores of 37.54 and Durham's 54.72, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Rochester. With a crime index of 36.66, Rochester 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 Rochester 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. Rochester move

• Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
• 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in New York, 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 toRochester 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. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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 Rochester

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

Helpful moving resources