($1,480) Movers From Memphis, TN to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Memphis to Raleigh

Moving from Memphis to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Memphis, 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 29% higher than in Memphis, 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 Memphis.
  Home prices in Raleigh are 200.5% higher than in Memphis.
• Income in Raleigh is 94.7% lower than in Memphis, 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 229.9% higher than in Memphis. 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 38.1% higher than in Memphis.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 46.25% lower than in Memphis.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 25.64% lower than in Memphis.
• State income taxes in Raleigh are 4.50% higher than in Memphis.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $9,897.39 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Memphis.

How life is different in Memphis vs. Raleigh

• Raleigh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 26% less than Memphis.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Raleigh will be about the same as it currently is in Memphis. 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.
• Raleigh neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Memphis. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Memphis, which has a score of 35 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 Memphis are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 39 and 41 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 Memphis based on scores of 38.87 and Memphis's 77.49, 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 Memphis, based on Raleigh’s safety index of 60.13 versus 22.51 for Memphis. 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 isn’t as good as it is in Memphis, 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While North Carolina doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Raleigh without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Raleigh

With your sights set on "City of Oaks", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Raleigh.

Helpful moving resources