($1,883) Movers From Seattle, WA to Raleigh, NC

What to know before moving from Seattle to Raleigh

Moving from Seattle to Raleigh comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Raleigh is generally more expensive than Seattle, 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 15% lower than in Seattle, 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 48.7% lower than in Seattle.
• Income in Raleigh is 96.7% lower than in Seattle, 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 62.5% higher than in Seattle. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Raleigh is 38.0% lower than in Seattle.
• The unemployment rate in Raleigh is 10.42% lower than in Seattle.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Raleigh, since the city’s sales taxes in Raleigh are 29.95% lower than in Seattle.
• State income taxes in Raleigh are 4.50% higher than in Seattle.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,874.60 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Seattle.

How life is different in Seattle vs. Raleigh

• Raleigh might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 37% less than Seattle.
• Getting around Raleigh without a car might be more difficult than in Seattle. Raleigh has a public transportation score of 4 out of 10, whereas Seattle is ranked 8. 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 Seattle. Based on its score of 31 out of 100, Raleigh isn’t as walkable as Seattle, which has a score of 74 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 Seattle. While Seattle has a bike-friendliness score of 71 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.
• Raleigh has a lower crime rate than Seattle based on scores of 38.87 and Seattle's 58.88, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Raleigh than in Seattle, based on Raleigh’s safety index of 60.13 versus 49.23 for Seattle. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Raleigh isn’t as good as it is in Seattle, 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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