($1,450) Movers From Durham, NC to Seattle, WA

What to know before moving from Durham to Seattle

Moving from Durham to Seattle comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Seattle is generally more expensive than Durham, it’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:

• Rent prices in Seattle are 16% higher than in Durham, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Durham.
  Home prices in Seattle are 115.0% higher than in Durham.
• Income in Seattle is 80.4% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Seattle include Amazon.com, Starbucks, and Costco Wholesale.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Seattle, since the cost of living for a single person in Seattle is 33.4% higher than in Durham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Seattle, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Seattle is 64.9% higher than in Durham.
• The unemployment rate in Seattle is 17.07% higher than in Durham.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Seattle, since the city’s sales taxes in Seattle are 38.00% higher than in Durham.
• One perk of moving to Seattle is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,002.85 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Seattle

• The population of Seattle is about 160% greater than Durham, 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.
• Seattle offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Seattle has a transit score of 8 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 Seattle means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Seattle is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 74 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, Seattle 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. Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 out of 100, while Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Seattle 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 58.88 in Seattle, it is 54.72 in Durham. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• Seattle is generally as safe as Durham, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Seattle 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. Seattle move

• Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
• 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: 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\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Washington, 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 toSeattle 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 Seattle

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

Helpful moving resources