($1,260) Movers From Buffalo, NY to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Buffalo to Raleigh

Moving from Buffalo to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Buffalo, 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 Raleigh are 39% higher than in Buffalo, 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 Buffalo.
  Home prices in Raleigh are 102.3% higher than in Buffalo.
• Income in Raleigh is 95.9% lower than in Buffalo, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Raleigh include State of North Carolina, WakeMed, and North Carolina State University.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Raleigh, since the cost of living for a single person in Raleigh is 134.7% higher than in Buffalo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Raleigh, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 6.2% higher than in Buffalo.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 54.74% lower than in Buffalo.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 17.14% lower than in Buffalo.
• One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 58.72% lower than in Buffalo.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,041.71 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Buffalo.

How life is different in Buffalo vs. Raleigh

• The population of Raleigh is about 68% greater than Buffalo, 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.
• Getting around Raleigh without a car might be more difficult than in Buffalo. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Buffalo is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Raleigh neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Buffalo. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Buffalo, which has a score of 67 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Raleigh, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Buffalo. While Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 out of 100, Raleigh earned a 39. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Raleigh is higher than in Buffalo, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 38.87 in Raleigh, it is 8.0 in Buffalo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Raleigh than in Buffalo, based on Raleigh’s safety index of 60.13 versus 53.55 for Buffalo. 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 Raleigh and Buffalo is generally the same (Moderate). 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 Buffalo vs. Raleigh move

• Weather: The climate in Raleigh is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
• 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving company\’s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
• Moving permits: You won’t need a moving permit in North Carolina, 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 toRaleigh 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, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen 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 Raleigh

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

Helpful moving resources