($754) Movers From Chesapeake, VA to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Chesapeake to Raleigh

Moving from Chesapeake to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Chesapeake, 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 7% lower than in Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake.
  Home prices in Raleigh are 15.1% higher than in Chesapeake.
• Income in Raleigh is 95.9% lower than in Chesapeake, 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 222.9% higher than in Chesapeake. 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 66.2% higher than in Chesapeake.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 14.00% lower than in Chesapeake.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 20.83% higher than in Chesapeake.
• One perk of moving to Raleigh is paying less in state income taxes, which are 21.74% lower than in Chesapeake.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $9,687.04 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Chesapeake.

How life is different in Chesapeake vs. Raleigh

• The population of Raleigh is about 87% greater than Chesapeake, 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.
• Raleigh offers better access to buses and trains than Chesapeake, based on public transportation ratings. Raleigh has a transit score of 4 out of 10 compared to 2 in Chesapeake. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Raleigh means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Chesapeake. Raleigh is considered more walkable than Chesapeake, with a score of 31 out of 100 versus 21 out of 100 in Chesapeake. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Raleigh is considered more bike-friendly than Chesapeake in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Raleigh has a bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, while Chesapeake is rated as 35 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Raleigh is higher than in Chesapeake, 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 25.0 in Chesapeake. 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 Chesapeake, whose index is Chesapeake's 70.88. 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 Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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