($1,319) Moving from San Francisco to Durham

Quick answer: A move from San Francisco to Durham costs $1,760 to $7,904 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,827-mile move yourself.

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  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from San Francisco will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Durham to San Francisco guide.

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The best San Francisco to Durham moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco to Durham is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving San Francisco to Durham.

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Durham?

San Francisco movers charge $150 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,319 - $5,337 $1,409 - $3,478 $1,609 - $2,910
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,897 - $7,904 $2,525 - $5,332 $1,760 - $3,466
4+ bedrooms $7,781 - $12,247 $3,554 - $6,848 $2,013 - $4,606
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,827 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from San Francisco to Durham

The cost of San Francisco movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from San Francisco to Durham can be as low as $1,319 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $11,899.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in San Francisco, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $1,609 to $4,159. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from San Francisco to Durham?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Durham will cost between $1,319 to $5,337. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,897 to $7,904, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Durham will cost from $7,781 to $12,247.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Durham?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Durham will cost you $1,409 to $3,478 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,525 to $5,332. A larger home will cost $3,554 to $6,848.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco to Durham?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,609 to $2,910. A larger move will cost $1,760 to $3,466, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Durham costs from $2,013 to $4,606. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from San Francisco to Durham

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Durham

San Francisco Durham
Average rent cost $3,220 $1,794
Average home value $1,234,246 $391,719
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $65,621
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $928
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $3,372
Unemployment rate 5.4% 4.1%
Sales Tax 8.63% 7.5%
State Income Tax 13.3% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Durham are 44% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Durham are 68.3% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Durham is 48.0% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Durham is 75.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Durham is 62.5% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Durham is 24.07% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Durham are 13.09% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Durham are 66.17% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $725.00 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Durham?

Durham San Francisco
Population 283,506 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 4 10
Walkability score 30 99
Bike friendliness score 38 99
Crime Index 47.6 54.33
Safety Index 45.44 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Durham's population is about 65% less than San Francisco.
  • Durham's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Durham is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 30 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Durham is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 38 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Durham's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 47.6 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Durham neighborhoods are safer than 47.6% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Durham is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 45.44 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Durham is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Durham

  • 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: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 Durham. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Luigy's Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112
(415) 413-4646
NorthStar Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
One Bush Plaza Bush St Suite B-182, San Francisco, CA, 94104
(415) 635-3844

Visit our best long distance movers in San Francisco page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Durham

Now that you've decided to make the move to "City of The Viper", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Durham.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

  • Golden Belt
  • Warehouse District
  • City Center
  • Research Triangle Park
  • Central Park
  • Chapel Hill
  • Northgate Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

  • Treyburn
  • American Village/Arrowhead
  • Willowhaven
  • Fieldstone by the Eno
  • Hope Valley Farms

What to do in Durham

These are some of the best things to do in your new North Carolina home.

  • Sarah P. Duke Gardens
  • Museum of Life + Science
  • Duke University
  • Duke University Chapel
  • Durham Bulls Athletic Park
  • Cameron Indoor Stadium
  • DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
  • Duke Lemur Center
  • Eno River State Park
  • American Tobacco Historic District
  • Bennett Place Historic Site
  • Streets at Southpoint
  • Carolina Theatre
  • Duke Homestead
  • Wallace Wade Stadium

Get your sports on!

Durham is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:

  • Duke University (ACC)
  • Durham Bulls (Triple-A East baseball)

FAQ

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Durham?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Durham is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in San Francisco.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Durham?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco to Durham in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from San Francisco to Durham take?

The 2,827-mile move from San Francisco, CA, to Durham, NC, takes seven-twenty-one days. Some San Francisco movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Durham.

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