($1,510) Movers From Durham, NC to Tacoma, WA

What to know before moving from Durham to Tacoma

Moving from Durham to Tacoma comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Tacoma 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 Tacoma are 3% 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 Durham.
  Home prices in Tacoma are 21.8% higher than in Durham.
• Income in Tacoma is 81.5% lower than in Durham, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Tacoma include Joint Base Lewis-McChord, MultiCare Health System, and State of Washington.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Tacoma, since the cost of living for a single person in Tacoma is 47.4% higher than in Durham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Tacoma, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Tacoma is 22.1% higher than in Durham.
• The unemployment rate in Tacoma is 78.05% higher than in Durham.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Tacoma, since the city’s sales taxes in Tacoma are 37.33% higher than in Durham.
• One perk of moving to Tacoma is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,423.47 in Tacoma to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Tacoma

• Tacoma might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 21% less than Durham.
• Tacoma offers better access to buses and trains than Durham, based on public transportation ratings. Tacoma 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 Tacoma means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Durham. Tacoma is considered more walkable than Durham, with a score of 54 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, Tacoma 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. Tacoma has a bike-friendliness score of 48 out of 100, while Durham is rated as 38 out of 100.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Tacoma as Durham. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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. Tacoma move

• Weather: Tacoma has one of the best weather in the state of Washington which is a desirable feature for residence. Humidity in Tacoma is generally tolerable. The most humid months are August, July and September which are the best months to schedule a move to avoid rainfall and snow.
• 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 toTacoma 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 Tacoma

Now that you’ve chosen "America’s #1 Wired City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Tacoma to check out.

Helpful moving resources