($1,055) Movers From Arlington, VA to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Arlington to Raleigh

Moving from Arlington to Raleigh means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Arlington than in Raleigh, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Arlington compares to Raleigh so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Raleigh are 39% lower than in Arlington, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Raleigh.
  Home prices in Raleigh are 46.7% lower than in Arlington.
• Income in Raleigh is 98.0% lower than in Arlington, 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.
• The cost of living for a single person in Raleigh is 11.5% lower than in Arlington. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 49.2% lower than in Arlington.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 7.50% higher than in Arlington.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 20.83% higher than in Arlington.
• One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 21.74% lower than in Arlington.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,654.87 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Arlington.

How life is different in Arlington vs. Raleigh

• The population of Raleigh is about 96% greater than Arlington, 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 Arlington. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Arlington is ranked 9. 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 Arlington. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Arlington, which has a score of 71 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 Arlington. While Arlington has a bike-friendliness score of 72 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 Arlington, 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 15.67 in Arlington. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Raleigh. With a crime index of 60.13, Raleigh ranks lower in overall safety than Arlington, whose index is Arlington's 79.15. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Raleigh isn’t as good as it is in Arlington, 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 Arlington 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 Arlington 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