Key factors that impact the cost of your Chapel Hill to Spokane move
What to know before moving from Chapel Hill to Spokane
Moving from Chapel Hill to Spokane comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Spokane is generally more expensive than Chapel Hill, itโs 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:
Chapel Hill | Spokane | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,950 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $592,460 | $375,614 |
Average income (per capita) | $65,621 | $60,801 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,248 | $2,556 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,790 | $6,270 |
Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 6.6% |
Sales tax | 7.5% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 4.5% | 0.0% |
- Rent prices in Spokane are 26% lower than in Chapel Hill, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Spokane.
Home prices in Spokane are 36.6% lower than in Chapel Hill. - Income in Spokane is 7.3% lower than in Chapel Hill, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Spokane include Key Tronic, URM Stores, and Empire Health Centers Group.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Spokane, since the cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 13.7% higher than in Chapel Hill. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Spokane, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Spokane is 30.9% higher than in Chapel Hill.
- The unemployment rate in Spokane is 106.25% higher than in Chapel Hill.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Spokane, since the cityโs sales taxes in Spokane are 20.00% higher than in Chapel Hill.
- One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Chapel Hill.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,411.03 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chapel Hill.
How life is different in Chapel Hill vs. Spokane
Spokane | Chapel Hill | |
---|---|---|
Population | 593,466 | 63,764 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 6 |
Walkability score | 49 | 34 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 50 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 26.42 |
Safety Index | 44.94 | 73.58 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of Spokane is about 831% greater than Chapel Hill, 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.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Spokane will be about the same as it currently is in Chapel Hill. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Living in Spokane means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chapel Hill. Spokane is considered more walkable than Chapel Hill, with a score of 49 out of 100 versus 34 out of 100 in Chapel Hill. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- Spokane and Chapel Hill are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 52 and 50 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Spokane has a lower crime rate than Chapel Hill based on scores of 3.0 and Chapel Hill's 26.42, 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 youโre getting used to your new surroundings in Spokane. With a crime index of 44.94, Spokane ranks lower in overall safety than Chapel Hill, whose index is Chapel Hill's 73.58. 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.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Spokane has better air quality than in Chapel Hill. Spokane has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Chapel Hill. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.
Other things to consider for your Chapel Hill vs. Spokane move
- Weather: it is advisable to plan your trips to Spokane, WA between the months of August, July and September as these months have more favorable weather.
- 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 regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Washington, though it\โs 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 toSpokane Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Spokane
Now that youโve chosen "Hooptown USA" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Spokane to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Spokane Valley
- Airway Heights
- Millwood
- Cheney
- Medical Lake
Best neighborhoods for families
- Liberty Lake
- Medical Lake
- Spokane
- Millwood
- Spokane Valley
Things to do in Spokane
After settling into your new Washington home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Spokane has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Spokane is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Campbell House, Mobius Discovery Center, Jundt Art Gallery, Avenue West Gallery, and Honor Point Military and Aerospace Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Manito Park, Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, and Centennial Trail 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 Spokane Chiefs (Ice hockey), Spokane Indians (Baseball), USL1 Spokane (Soccer) USL League One (men) USL W League (women), or Spokane Shadow (Soccer) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Chapel Hill to Spokane?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Chapel Hill to Spokane are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Chapel Hill are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Chapel Hill to Spokane?
With many people choosing to move from Chapel Hill to Spokane 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 Chapel Hill to Spokane take?
Moving from Chapel Hill, NC to Spokane, WA covers 2,566 miles and usually takes seven to 21 days. Need to move faster? Some Chapel Hill movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Spokane.