Moving from Rochester, NY, to Raleigh, NC

Moving south from Upstate New York

Relocating nearly 700 miles south from Rochester, in Upstate New York, to Raleigh, NC, is a significant change of pace. Despite being larger in population, North Carolina’s capital city has a more laid-back lifestyle full of Southern Hospitality and diversity from its recent growth. 

Raleigh is more than twice as populated, with 467,665 residents compared to 211,238 in Rochester. The metro area is also bigger, with 1.5 million people compared to 1 million in Rochester’s metro area.  

However, with a lower population density in Raleigh, you might not feel the crunch of more people. 

Raleigh lets you leave most of the snow behind 

Winters in Raleigh are much warmer than what you’re used to in Rochester, with average highs around 30 degrees in January. You can expect around 4 inches of snow annually in Raleigh, significantly less than the 77 inches Rochester averages. 

Raleigh's subtropical climate has warmer summer temperatures, with an average of around 90 degrees, compared to 82 degrees in Rochester. Raleigh also averages 46 inches of rain per year, a bit more than Rochester, which typically receives 33 inches. 

Capital city: interesting facts about Raleigh

Here are some facts about your new hometown to help you brush up on Raleigh trivia: 

• Raleigh is nicknamed the “City of Oaks” because of the abundance of oak trees, including black, red and white varieties. 
• Raleigh was Confederate headquarters during the Civil War. 
• Raleigh was incorporated in 1792 and chartered in 1795. 
• Raleigh’s city flag has a design on both sides. 
• The city was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored the lost colony on Roanoke Island. 
• The city was planned and built specifically to serve as state capital. 
   

Cost of living adjustments 

The cost of living in Raleigh is typically higher than in Rochester, particularly in housing. Fortunately, average salaries are higher than the national average, and Raleigh has a thriving job market with low unemployment rates. 

Many residents work in education, government, healthcare, information technology and research. The 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park (RTP) houses over 300 companies and employs 60,000+ people in the surrounding area.  

Three major universities — Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — offer employment and education in the area.  

Get ready to move to Raleigh with U-Pack 

U-Pack® has nationwide service centers with locations near Rochester and Raleigh, and we’re ready to help with your move. We’re a DIY moving service with over 25 years of experience in long-distance moving. All you have to do is pack, load and unload — we’ll transport your things. Get a free online quote today or call us at 844-362-5303844-594-3077. We’re here to help!