Key factors that impact the cost of your Durham to Providence movetoggle

The cost of Durham movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Durham to Providence (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,305, while larger moves may reach $7,957 for a four-bedroom home.
  • Seasonal demand: Moving in the summer? Expect to pay more โ€” itโ€™s the busiest time of year for movers in Durham.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $605 to $1,378, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Durham to Providence

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

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

Durham Providence
Average rent cost $1,699 $2,200
Average home value $391,719 $398,785
Average income (per capita) $396,291 $69,956
Cost of living (single person) $2,803 $2,493
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,945 $5,406
Unemployment rate 4.1% 8.6%
Sales tax 7.5% 7.0%
State income tax 4.5% 5.99%
  • Rent prices in Providence are 30% 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 Durham.
    Home prices in Providence are 1.8% higher than in Durham.
  • Income in Providence is 82.3% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Providence include Textron, United Natural Foods, and Citizens Financial Group.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Providence is 11.1% lower than in Durham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Providence is 9.1% lower than in Durham.
  • The unemployment rate in Providence is 109.76% higher than in Durham.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Providence, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Providence are 6.67% lower than in Durham.
  • State income taxes in Providence are 33.11% higher than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,668.21 in Providence to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Providence

Providence Durham
Population 190,934 283,506
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 4
Walkability score 76 30
Bike friendliness score 61 38
Crime Index 49.84 54.72
Safety Index 50.16 45.28
Air Quality Good Good
  • Providence might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 33% less than Durham.
  • Providence offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Providence has a transit score of 7 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 Providence means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Providence is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 76 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, Providence 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. Providence has a bike-friendliness score of 61 out of 100, while Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
  • Providence has a lower crime rate than Durham based on scores of 49.84 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 might find more confidence in your overall safety in Providence than in Durham, based on Providenceโ€™s safety index of 50.16 versus 45.28 for Durham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • The air quality in Providence 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. Providence move

  • Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Providence, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
  • 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: In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is responsible for providing regulation and oversight of the moving and storage industry. The state maintains a database of licensed movers, though some information may not be current. To verify that the movers youโ€™re considering are licensed, insured, and authorized to provide relocation services without the state, check the above link and call (401) 780-9700. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Rhode Island moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in Rhode Island, 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 toProvidence Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.In Rhode Island, movers often provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, offering coverage at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or explore third-party insurance options. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and reading reviews before choosing an insurance plan for your move.
  • Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Providence

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

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown
  • Elmhurst
  • Federal Hill
  • Fox Point
  • Mount Hope

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Wayland
  • College Hill
  • Hope
  • Mount Hope
  • Fox Point

Things to do in Providence

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

  • Arts and culture: Providence is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art, Providence Children's Museum, John Brown House Museum, Providence Art Club, and Lippitt House Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Water Place Park, Roger Williams Park, India Point Park, and Roger Williams National Memorial 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 Providence Bruins (AHL), Brown Bears (Ivy League), or Providence Friars (Big East) game.

FAQ

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

The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Durham to Providence are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Durham are lower.

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

With many people choosing to move from Durham to Providence in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.

How long does a move from Durham to Providence take?

Moving from Durham, NC to Providence, RI covers 664 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Durham movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Providence.

Helpful moving resources