RALEIGH NC
MOVING / RELOCATION GUIDE
RALEIGH NC: OVERVIEW
Raleigh has a reputation for being a friendly, affordable place to live. The local population tends to be young, diverse, and well-educated. The area also features great local restaurants, plenty of green space, and a strong sense of community.
If you’re thinking about moving to Raleigh, you’ll love the excellent schools, growing art and music scene, and overall quality of life. Here are a few other things you need to know about living in the Raleigh area.
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RALEIGH WEATHER
The weather in Raleigh is generally pleasant and residents here get to enjoy all four seasons. Summers can be hot and humid, and although it gets cold in the winter, it rarely snows. The area gets an average of 3.7 inches of snowfall per year, with snow being most likely during the month of February. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s and 40s during the winter months to highs in the 80s to low 90s during the summer.
RALEIGH SCHOOLS
The city of Raleigh is served by the Wake County Public School System. This currently includes 380 preschools, 132 elementary schools, 73 middle schools, and 54 high schools. Of these, 91 are public district schools, 15 are public charter schools, and 367 are private schools.
If you’re thinking about moving to Raleigh with kids, you’ll be glad to know that many of the schools are above average. Some of the top-rated schools in the city include:
- Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School
- Raleigh Charter High School
- Wake Early College of Health and Sciences
- Quest Academy
- Abbott’s Creek Elementary School
- Magellan Charter
- Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy
AVERAGE PROPERTY VALUE IN RALEIGH
The housing market in Raleigh is considered somewhat competitive, with some homes getting multiple offers. Hot homes often sell for around 2% higher than the asking price in an average of 14 days. An average home here tends to sell for right around the list price and sells in about 36 days.
As of September 2022, the median home sale price in Raleigh is $397,000, which reflects a 9.0% year-over-year increase. While the cost of homes in Raleigh has increased in recent years and is expected to keep rising, the property taxes here are relatively low, making it a bit easier to live here in Raleigh than in some other big cities.
COST OF LIVING IN RALEIGH
The cost of living in Raleigh is about 7% lower than the national average. Groceries are approximately 13% lower, housing is 9% lower, and utilities are 3% lower than the national average. This makes the area an attractive option for those who are seeking an affordable place to live.
The job market here is also booming. According to the Raleigh government, the median household income is $74,612, which is about 20% higher than the state average. The income per capita is $44,001, 25% higher than the state average.
RALEIGH DEMOGRAPHICS
Raleigh is located in Wake County and has a population of 469,502. The population density here is 3,191.5 people per square mile. The median age is 35, with 20% of the population being under the age of 18 and 12% aged 65 or older.
The male-to-female ratio in Raleigh is 48% to 52%. Approximately 44% of Raleigh residents are married while 56% are single. The population is also quite educated, with 92.9% having a high school diploma or higher and 53.9% having a bachelor’s degree or higher.
RALEIGH CRIME STATISTICS
The Raleigh metro area has a crime rate that is slightly higher than the national average. Approximately 58% of metro areas across the U.S. are safer and 42% are more dangerous. Generally, the southwest part of the area is considered the safest. Here, your chance of being a victim of a crime may be as low as 1 in 64 while in the central neighborhoods, it may be as high as 1 in 22.
TRANSPORTATION IN RALEIGH
While the city center is walkable, generally, you’ll need a car to get around Raleigh. Traffic is usually tolerable, but congestion can be an issue during the weekday rush hour. However, the average commute to work here is just 21.6 minutes.
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is only about 11 miles from the city center, making air travel quite convenient. Other nearby airports include Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY), which is 55.7 miles away, and Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI), which is 76.1 miles away.
RALEIGH DINING, Shopping, and Entertainment
Raleigh was rated the #6 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and #1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina by U.S. News & World Report. It’s also ranked #20 for Fastest-Growing Places in the U.S.
The area is full of cultural attractions such as the North Carolina Symphony and the North Carolina Museum of Contemporary Art Museum. There are also over 20 craft breweries in the area and a growing food scene. The Raleigh-Durham area has more live music venues than anywhere else in North Carlina. If you want to get out of the city, it’s also just a 2-hour drive to the nearest beach and a short drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Plan Your Move to Raleigh
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As you start planning your move to Raleigh, you’ll need to find a mover you can trust. The experts at John’s Moving will handle all the details for you, so you can focus on settling into your new home. Contact us today to learn more about our full suite of moving services and request a free quote.