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Moving to Raleigh in 2025?
Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Raleigh.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Raleigh.

Planning to move to Raleigh?

Raleigh is a vibrant and growing city in North Carolina. It is known for its abundant oak trees and earned the title “City of Oaks”. It is a hub for research, technology, and education as a part of the Research Triangle. The city is home to several major universities, including Duke University, North Carolina State University, and more. The job market is strong in sectors like technology, education, and healthcare. The cost of living in the city is rising, but you can find affordable options conveniently. Raleigh has “Southern charm” with warm hospitality and friendly culture. The city experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. These are some basic details about Raleigh, and you can explore more in this moving guide-

Quick Facts of Raleigh

Here are some amazing facts about Raleigh-

It is the capital city of North Carolina.

It was a planned city that was built to serve as the state capital.

Pullen Park was the first public park in North Carolina.

Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.

It is sometimes referred to as the “Smithsonian of the South.”

Raleigh has the first state-supported symphony in the USA.

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Top reasons to move to Raleigh

Before you move to a new city, explore the reasons that can benefit you. So, here are some top reasons to move to Raleigh-

Cost of living - the city provides a relatively affordable cost of living, especially housing. However, the cost of living in the city is rising, but it still offers a good balance.

Job Market - Raleigh is part of Research Triangle Park, and this offers a wealth of job opportunities in sectors including technology, education, and research. If you are a professional looking for career advancement, this is the right destination.

Education - The city is home to renowned universities, including North Carolina State University, Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and many more.

Culture - The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene with thriving arts and culture scene with museums, theaters, and more.

Recreational Opportunities - There are several parks, green spaces, beaches, and mountains in proximity to Raleigh, and thus it offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities.

Weather - The city experiences four distinct seasons, with mild winters and warm summers.

Pros & Cons of Living in Raleigh

Explore the pros and cons of living in a new city like Raleigh-

Pros of Living in Raleigh	Cons of Living in Raleigh
Strong job market as the Research Triangle Park creates various opportunities	Increased population leads to traffic congestion
Home to well-regarded public school system and top-rated universities	Summers are hot and humid, which can be difficult for some people
Cost of living is rising but generally offers affordable options	Public transportation in the city is limited
It offers a friendly atmosphere and growing arts and cultural scenes	Rapid population growth is affecting infrastructure
The economy is growing fast and generating a lot of opportunities	Nightlife in the city is not vibrant as in some major cities

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Best Neighborhoods in the Raleigh

A new city means you will need a new neighborhood and new neighbors. Before you start packing, explore the best neighborhoods where you can buy or rent a new home-

Downtown Raleigh: This neighborhood is a vibrant core of the city with mixed dining options, cultural attractions, and entertainment.

Glenwood South: This is a popular neighborhood with lively nightlife, bars, restaurants, and more. This neighborhood is highly preferred by young professionals.

Hayes Barton: It is a prestigious neighborhood with its grand historic homes and tree-lined streets.

North Hills: This is an upscale area, and it is often referred to as “Midtown Raleigh.” It offers a suburban feel with a mix of shops, dining options, and entertainment.

Mordecai: This is one of Raleigh’s oldest neighborhoods and provides a blend of historic charm. It has proximity to modern amenities.

Warehouse District: This area is known for its renovated warehouses, which now house breweries, restaurants, and art galleries.

Historic Oakwood: The neighborhood has beautifully preserved Victorian-era homes and a strong sense of community.

Cost of living in Raleigh

Learn about the cost of living in Raleigh, as it will help you manage your finances. The cost of living in Raleigh is rising, but there are affordable options, including housing, utilities, and more. The rapid growth of the city influences the costs, especially housing costs. Here is the breakdown for the cost of living in Raleigh-

Category	Raleigh (in USD)
Median Home Price	$439,640
Average Rent (1-bedroom)	$1,382 /month
Transportation	$3.21
Grocery	$2.23
Healthcare	$128.16

Housing Market in Raleigh

The housing market in Raleigh is experiencing fluctuations and the house prices have been increasing. The market is somewhat competitive and inventory for the homes can vary. The median sale price for a home is around $439,640.

Average rental cost in Raleigh

The average rental cost in Raleigh is around $1,382 per month. However, the rent cost depends on multiple factors, including size, location, and type of property.

Raleigh job market

The city boasts a notably robust job market with several thriving sectors. The overall economy of the city is experiencing steady growth. There are two major factors that contribute to the economic growth including the Research Triangle Park and educational institutions.

Top Career Options in Raleigh

Here is the breakdown for top career options in Raleigh, their average salary, and entry-level salary-

Job Title	Average Salary	Entry-Level Salary
Software Development	$100,000+	$60,000 - $80,000
Data Analysis/Science	$90,000+	$60,000 - $75,000
Cybersecurity	$95,000+	$60,000 - $75,000
Healthcare (Nursing, etc.)	$70,000+	$45,000 - $60,000
Marketing/Digital Marketing	$65,000+	$40,000 - $55,000
Business/Financial Analysts	$80,000+	$50,000 - $65,000
Graphic Design	$58,704	$52,000 - $65,000

Median Salary in Raleigh

The median salary of a household in Raleigh is around $96,066 a year.

Transportation And Navigation In Raleigh

Raleigh has an extensive public transportation system with several other transportation options.

Here is the breakdown of the transportation system in Raleigh- Public Transportation- GoRaleigh is a public bus system providing services within the city and GoTriangle provides regional bus service. There are other options including ride-sharing services, like Uber and Lyft. Navigation- The city has a network of surface streets and is served by major highways. There are several GPS-based navigation apps to navigate the city like Google Maps and Waze.

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Major industries in Raleigh

The city is home to several major industries, including-

Industries: Technology; Education; Healthcare; Biotechnology; Financial and Business Services; Advanced Manufacturing

Education System in Raleigh

Moving to a new city is emotionally challenging for children. The most difficult step is starting a new school away from their friends. So, before you move to a new city, explore different schools online and help your children in transition. We have prepared a list of some good educational institutions in the city-

Elementary Schools in Raleigh
White Oak Elementary School
Highcroft Elementary School
Davis Drive Elementary School
Green Hope Elementary School
The Math and Science Academy of Apex

Middle Schools in Raleigh
Mills Park Middle School
Davis Drive Middle School
Apex Friendship Middle School
Alston Ridge Middle School
Ligon Middle School

High Schools in Raleigh
Raleigh Charter High School
Green Hope High School
Green Level High School
Panther Creek High School
William G. Enloe High School

Colleges and Universities in Raleigh
North Carolina State University
Meredith College
Saint Augustine's University
William Peace University
Wake Technical Community College

Best things to do in Raleigh

The city offers a diverse range of activities that can help you connect with the locals and city-

Indulge in the history of the city by visiting museums and cultural attractions including:

North Carolina Museum of Art

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of History

The city enjoys a warm climate and thus offers several outdoor activities like-

Dorothea Dix Park

JC Raulston Arboretum

Pullen Park

There are several options for entertainment in the city, including-

Downtown Raleigh

Breweries

Live Music

Taxes in Raleigh

Taxes play a major role in the cost of living. Before moving to Raleigh, learn about different taxes in the city:

Income Tax: North Carolina has a flat individual income tax rate of 4.25%.

Sales Tax: There is a state sales tax rate of 4.75% in North Carolina. Other than state sales tax, local counties impose sales taxes, and thus a combined 7.5% sales tax has to be paid by the residents.

Property Tax: The property taxes are levied by the county, and the tax amount depends on the assessed value of the property and the local tax rates.

Gasoline Tax: There is a state gasoline tax in North Carolina.

Type of insurance required in Raleigh

When you move to a new city, you have to buy insurance as per the law. Before you move to Raleigh, let us learn about different insurance required in the city:

Auto Insurance - This is a mandatory insurance mandated by the law of North Carolina. According to this, all the drivers in the state must have minimum liability insurance. This includes:

$30,000 for bodily injury per person.

$60,000 for bodily injury per accident.

$25,000 for property damage per accident.

Homeowners Insurance - This insurance will cover the damage caused to the property or belongings by fire, theft, or other covered events.

Renters Insurance - If you rent, then this insurance will provide coverage against the damage caused to your belongings due to fire, theft, and more.

Health Insurance - It is not mandated by law but is highly recommended as it covers medical expenses.

Life Insurance - This insurance provides financial support to your family in the event of your death.

Business Insurance - If you own a business in Raleigh, you might need various business insurances including:

General liability insurance.

Workers' compensation insurance (required if you have employees).

Commercial auto insurance.

Professional Liability Insurance.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consult relevant experts before making any decisions related to relocation.

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