Things to know before moving from Tennessee to Durham, NC

Cost of living: Tennessee vs Durham, NC

Tennessee Durham
Average rent cost $1,047 $1,699
Average home value $319,208 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $64,035 $396,291
Unemployment rate 3% 4%
State income tax 0% 5%
  • Rent is about 62% more expensive in Durham than in Tennessee.
  • Home prices are about 23% higher in Durham than in Tennessee.
  • The average income is about 519% higher in Durham than in Tennessee.
  • Durham has a higher unemployment rate than Tennessee by about 24%.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Durham than in Tennessee.

How life is different in Durham from Tennessee

Durham Tennessee
Population 283,506 7,126,489
Political leaning Republican 51-48 Republican 64-36
Summer high 89ºF 88ºF
Winter low 30ºF 27ºF
Annual rain 46" 53"
Annual snow 4" 5"
Crime index 54.72 29.24
  • The population of Durham is approximately 96% lower than the population of Tennessee.
  • In the last presidential election, Durham voted Republican and Tennessee voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Durham is 89ºF and in Tennessee, it’s 88ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Durham reaches the temperature of 30ºF and Tennessee gets down to 27ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Durham vs 53 inches of rainfall in Tennessee.
  • In Durham, it snows about 4 inches annually vs 5 inches of snow in Tennessee.
  • Durham has a higher crime rate than Tennessee with a crime index of 54.72 vs 29.24.

Things to do in Durham

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Durham.

Museums in Durhamtoggle

  • Museum of Life + Science
  • Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
  • Museum of Durham History
  • V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection
  • Golden Belt

Parks in Durhamtoggle

  • West Point on the Eno
  • RollingView Falls Lake State Park
  • Durham Central Park
  • Historic Durham Athletic Park
  • Forest Hills Park

Sports Teams in Durhamtoggle

  • Duke University (ACC)
  • Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball)

Universities in Durhamtoggle

  • Duke University
  • North Carolina Central University
  • Durham Technical Community College

Other considerations when moving to Durham, NC

  • Weather: The climate in Durham is unlikely to affect your move. However, some days in the winter, the roads may become icy which causes traffic issues.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Tennessee vs. Durham, NC

Comparing the pros of Tennessee vs. Durham, NC:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Tennessee vs Durham side-by-side.

Pros of living in Tennessee Pros of living in Durham, NC
Abundant recreational opportunities Low cost of living
No income taxes Quality education
Legendary music scene Wonderful restaurants
Natural beauty and parks galore Ample economic opportunity
Delicious southern comfort food Friendly people

Comparing the cons of living in Tennessee vs. Durham, NC:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Tennessee for Durham.

Cons of living in Tennessee Cons of living in Durham, NC
Tendency for severe weather Terrible traffic
Oppressive summer heat and humidity High crime rate
Abundant presence of nuclear power plants Humidity
Traffic congestion Allergy-inducing pollen
High urban crime rates Limited public transportation

FAQ

How long does a move from Tennessee to Durham take?

The time frame for a move from Tennessee to Durham, NC, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Tennessee, the longer the drive time to Durham will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Durham from Tennessee can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Tennessee to Durham?

Because of the 549-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Tennessee to Durham as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Durham, NC?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Durham from Tennessee during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Durham during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources