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Things to know before moving from West Virginia to Durham, NC
Cost of living: West Virginia vs Durham, NC
| West Virginia | Durham | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $899 | $1,699 |
| Average home value | $168,172 | $391,719 |
| Average income (per capita) | $55,217 | $396,291 |
| Unemployment rate | 4% | 4% |
| State income tax | 7% | 5% |
Durham sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 89% more expensive in Durham than in West Virginia.
- Home prices are about 133% higher in Durham than in West Virginia.
- The average income is about 618% higher in Durham than in West Virginia.
- Durham has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 2%.
- Income taxes are 31% lower in Durham than in West Virginia.
How life is different in Durham from West Virginia
| Durham | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 1,782,959 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-48 | Republican 69-30 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 83ºF |
| Winter low | 30ºF | 21ºF |
| Annual rain | 46" | 45" |
| Annual snow | 4" | 33" |
| Crime index | 54.72 | 17.47 |
Durham sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Durham is approximately 84% lower than the population of West Virginia.
- In the last presidential election, Durham voted Republican and West Virginia voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Durham is 89ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Durham reaches the temperature of 30ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
- You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Durham vs 45 inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
- In Durham, it snows about 4 inches annually vs 33 inches of snow in West Virginia.
- Durham has a higher crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 54.72 vs 17.47.
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 Durham
Parks in Durham
Sports Teams in Durham
Universities in Durham
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 West Virginia vs. Durham, NC
Comparing the pros of West Virginia 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 West Virginia vs Durham side-by-side.
| Pros of living in West Virginia | Pros of living in Durham, NC |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Low cost of living |
| Abundant outdoor activities | Quality education |
| 4 distinct seasons of weather | Wonderful restaurants |
| Immense natural beauty | Ample economic opportunity |
| Relaxed small cities and towns | Friendly people |
Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia vs. Durham, NC:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving West Virginia for Durham.
| Cons of living in West Virginia | Cons of living in Durham, NC |
|---|---|
| Dismal economy | Terrible traffic |
| High rates of crime | High crime rate |
| High rates of drug abuse | Humidity |
| Shrinking population | Allergy-inducing pollen |
| Lack of diversity | Limited public transportation |
FAQ
How long does a move from West Virginia to Durham take?
The time frame for a move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Durham?
Because of the 341-mile move, it’s best to book your move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.
