Things to know before moving from Texas to Durham, NC

Cost of living: Texas vs Durham, NC

Texas Durham
Average rent cost $1,251 $1,699
Average home value $300,267 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $73,035 $396,291
Unemployment rate 4% 4%
State income tax 0% 5%
  • Rent is about 36% more expensive in Durham than in Texas.
  • Home prices are about 30% higher in Durham than in Texas.
  • The average income is about 443% higher in Durham than in Texas.
  • Durham and Texas have about the same unemployment rate.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Durham than in Texas.

How life is different in Durham from Texas

Durham Texas
Population 283,506 30,503,301
Political leaning Republican 51-48 Republican 56-44
Summer high 89ºF 94ºF
Winter low 30ºF 36ºF
Annual rain 46" 36"
Annual snow 4" 2"
Crime index 54.72 27.32
  • The population of Durham is approximately 99% lower than the population of Texas.
  • In the last presidential election, Durham voted Republican and Texas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Durham is 89ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Durham reaches the temperature of 30ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Durham vs 36 inches of rainfall in Texas.
  • In Durham, it snows about 4 inches annually vs 2 inches of snow in Texas.
  • Durham has a higher crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 54.72 vs 27.32.

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 Texas vs. Durham, NC

Comparing the pros of Texas 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 Texas vs Durham side-by-side.

Pros of living in Texas Pros of living in Durham, NC
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Favorable climate Quality education
Delicious barbecue Wonderful restaurants
Low taxes Ample economic opportunity
Privacy and freedom Friendly people

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

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

Cons of living in Texas Cons of living in Durham, NC
Severe weather Terrible traffic
Limited healthcare access High crime rate
High crime rate Humidity
Traffic issues Allergy-inducing pollen
Politics Limited public transportation

FAQ

How long does a move from Texas to Durham take?

The time frame for a move from Texas 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 Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas to Durham?

Because of the 1382-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Texas 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 Texas 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