Factors influencing moving costs from Chesapeake to Chapel Hilltoggle

The cost of Chesapeake movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill can be as low as $811 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 4,816.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Chesapeake, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $252 to $550. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill

Moving from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Chapel Hill is generally more expensive than Chesapeake, 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:

Chesapeake Chapel Hill
Average rent cost $1,800 $1,950
Average home value $375,209 $592,460
Average income (per capita) $63,484 $65,621
Cost of living (single person) $1,882 $2,248
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,656 $4,790
Unemployment rate 5.0% 3.2%
Sales tax 6.0% 7.5%
State income tax 5.75% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Chapel Hill are 8% higher than in Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake.
    Home prices in Chapel Hill are 57.9% higher than in Chesapeake.
  • Income in Chapel Hill is 3.4% higher than in Chesapeake, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Chapel Hill include University of North Carolina, Performance Bicycle, and Investors Title.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Chapel Hill, since the cost of living for a single person in Chapel Hill is 19.4% higher than in Chesapeake. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Chapel Hill, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Chapel Hill is 31.0% higher than in Chesapeake.
  • The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 36.00% lower than in Chesapeake.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Chapel Hill, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 25.00% higher than in Chesapeake.
  • One perk of moving to Chapel Hill is paying less in state income taxes, which are 21.74% lower than in Chesapeake.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,583.42 in Chapel Hill to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chesapeake.

How life is different in Chesapeake vs. Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Chesapeake
Population 63,764 249,422
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 2
Walkability score 34 21
Bike friendliness score 50 35
Crime Index 26.42 25.0
Safety Index 73.58 70.88
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Chapel Hill's population is about 74% less than Chesapeake.
  • Chapel Hill's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Chesapeake's lower score of 2.
  • Chapel Hill is more walkable than Chesapeake with a score of 34 out of 100 vs Chesapeake's 21 out of 100.
  • With a score of 50 out of 100, Chapel Hill is more bike-friendly than Chesapeake, which has a score of 35 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Chapel Hill and Chesapeake have a similar crime rate.
  • Chapel Hill and Chesapeake are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Chapel Hill is moderate, and in Chesapeake it's good.

Other things to consider for your Chesapeake vs. Chapel Hill move

  • Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
  • HOA rules: Itโ€™s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโ€™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 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโ€™s license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission
  • Moving permits: While North Carolina doesnโ€™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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill

With your sights set on "Southern Part of Heaven", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chapel Hill.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Downtown Chapel Hill
  • Franklin Street Area
  • Carrboro
  • Midtown Chapel Hill
  • East 54

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Meadowmont
  • The Preserve at Jordan Lake
  • Briar Chapel
  • Dunhill
  • Governor's Club

Things to do in Chapel Hill

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

  • Arts and culture: Chapel Hill is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Kidzu Children's Museum, and FRANK Gallery.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, and Battle Park 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 game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill?

The best time to move from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Chesapeake.

When is the cheapest time to move from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill?

Because most people are moving from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Chesapeake to Chapel Hill take?

The 198-mile move from Chesapeake, VA, to Chapel Hill, NC, takes one to two days. Some Chesapeake movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chapel Hill.

Helpful moving resources