Key factors that impact the cost of your Cincinnati to Raleigh movetoggle

The cost of Cincinnati movers will depend on:

  • Size of your move: The more items you have, the more your move will cost. A smaller move from Cincinnati to Raleigh (like a one-bedroom) could be as low as $1,499, while larger moves may reach $8,499 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 Cincinnati.
  • DIY vs. hiring pros: You can cut costs by renting a truck (typically $508 to $1,250, but it requires more effort than hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Cincinnati to Raleigh

Moving from Cincinnati to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Cincinnati, itโ€™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:

Cincinnati Raleigh
Average rent cost $1,450 $1,670
Average home value $232,735 $431,795
Average income (per capita) $65,682 $2,572
Cost of living (single person) $2,467 $6,077
Cost of living (family of 4) $6,418 $6,077
Unemployment rate 4.9% 4.3%
Sales tax 6.5% 7.25%
State income tax 3.5% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Raleigh are 15% higher than in Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati.
    Home prices in Raleigh are 85.5% higher than in Cincinnati.
  • Income in Raleigh is 96.1% lower than in Cincinnati, 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 146.3% higher than in Cincinnati. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 5.3% lower than in Cincinnati.
  • The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 12.24% lower than in Cincinnati.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Raleigh are 11.54% higher than in Cincinnati.
  • State income taxes in Raleigh are 28.57% higher than in Cincinnati.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $7,389.95 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Cincinnati.

How life is different in Cincinnati vs. Raleigh

Raleigh Cincinnati
Population 467,665 309,317
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 6
Walkability score 31 49
Bike friendliness score 39 36
Crime Index 38.87 48.47
Safety Index 60.13 49.53
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • The population of Raleigh is about 51% greater than Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Cincinnati is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a cityโ€™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 Cincinnati. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isnโ€™t as walkable as Cincinnati, which has a score of 49 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.
  • Raleigh and Cincinnati are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 36 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.
  • Raleigh has a lower crime rate than Cincinnati based on scores of 38.87 and Cincinnati's 48.47, 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 Raleigh than in Cincinnati, based on Raleighโ€™s safety index of 60.13 versus 49.53 for Cincinnati. 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 isnโ€™t as good as it is in Cincinnati, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Raleigh has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Cincinnati is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.

Other things to consider for your Cincinnati 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 regulationsโ€”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 โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™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\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in North Carolina, 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 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 youโ€™ve chosen "City of Oaks" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Raleigh to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Central Raleigh
  • Five Points
  • North Raleigh
  • Northwest Raleigh
  • West Raleigh

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Oakwood
  • Boylan Heights
  • Hayes Barton
  • Stonehenge
  • Six Forks

Things to do in Raleigh

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

  • Arts and culture: Raleigh is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the African American Cultural Complex, Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh, Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University, Haywood Hall House & Gardens, and Marbles Kids Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park, Yates Mill County Park, and JC Raulston Arboretum 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 Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), North Carolina FC (USL), North Carolina Courage (NWSL), or Carolina Mudcats (MiLB) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Cincinnati to Raleigh?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from Cincinnati to Raleigh?

With many people choosing to move from Cincinnati to Raleigh 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 Cincinnati to Raleigh take?

Moving from Cincinnati, OH to Raleigh, NC covers 512 miles and usually takes one to six days. Need to move faster? Some Cincinnati movers offer expedited options. If youโ€™re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Raleigh.

Helpful moving resources