How Much Do North Carolina Movers Cost?

Quick answer: The average cost of hiring movers in North Carolina is $105 per hour, with an average total move cost between $431 and $3,519. The exact cost of your move will depend on how many belongings you have and how far you’re relocating.

Of course, it’s crucial to get a personalized moving quote for your North Carolina move. For that, use our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Moving Cost Calculator

To figure out how much your North Carolina move will cost, it’s a good idea to compare multiple quotes. With our cost calculator, you can get pricing information from the best moving companies in NC — including Safeway Moving, American Van Lines, Mayzlin Relocation, North American Van Lines, JK Moving Services, and some of the top national moving companies provided below.

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Since 2015, we’ve used our inside knowledge of the moving industry to help more than 400,000 people with their moves.

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Average cost to hire a moving company in North Carolina

The cost to hire a North Carolina moving company depends primarily on the size of your home, how many belongings you have, and the distance of your move. Here’s what you could expect to pay a professional movers in North Carolina.

Cost to move a home in North Carolina

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $431 $148 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $578 $148 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedrooms $902 $206 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedrooms $2,017 $289 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedrooms $2,305 $289 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedrooms $3,519 $405 5 movers 10 hours
  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in North Carolina to move a studio apartment is $431. You'll need two movers for three hours at $148 per hour.
  • One bedroom: If you have a one-bedroom apartment or home, expect to pay around $578 for local North Carolina movers. You'll need two movers for four hours at $148 per hour.
  • Two bedrooms: The average cost to hire North Carolina movers to move a two-bedroom home is $902. You'll need three movers for five hours at $206 per hour.
  • Three bedrooms: For a three-bedroom home, expect to pay $2,017 for local North Carolina movers. A three-bedroom typically requires four movers for eight hours at $289 per hour.
  • Four bedrooms: Moving a four-bedroom house in North Carolina will cost $2,305, on average. The cost to move a larger home can vary, but typically requires four movers for nine hours at $289 per hour.
  • Five or more bedrooms: The cost of hiring North Carolina movers for a home with five or more bedrooms is $3,519. You'll need five movers for 10 hours at $405 per hour.

City moving costs in North Carolina

Average cost to hire an interstate mover in North Carolina

The cost of an interstate move from North Carolina to another state has even more variables than a local move.

Out-of-state, or Interstate, moves mean longer distances, and that additional mileage comes with higher prices. Fuel costs, higher insurance premiums, and time of year are additional cost factors that can drive up your overall expenses. Rather than pay an hourly rate (like you would with local movers), an interstate moving company will charge you based on the total weight of your belongings.

Below are some cost examples from popular moving routes.

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of North Carolina

Now that you have an idea of what your move from North Carolina should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best long-distance moving movers in North Carolina.

Best interstate moving companies in North Carolina

These are the best interstate moving companies available in North Carolina:

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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • 1,800 trucks
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  • Customized moving plans
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  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery

Best local moving companies in North Carolina

Staying in North Carolina and moving just a short distance? Check out the best moving companies in North Carolina.

Factors that affect the cost of your North Carolina move

The following common factors will affect the cost of your North Carolina move:

  • The size of your move: The more items you move, the more the move is going to cost. Obviously, it will take more time to load more items into a truck, but it will also often require a bigger moving crew. Those additional man hours and extra labor means you’ll pay more for a fully furnished two-bedroom home than you would a minimalist studio apartment. To help keep costs down, make sure that you’re only bringing with you those things that you truly want to have in North Carolina.
  • The distance of the move: How far you’re moving can greatly impact your costs. If you’re moving locally, you’ll pay an hourly rate and your total price will be based on how long it takes a crew to move a home of your size. A long distance mover will likely build additional expenses like mileage and fuel and toll costs into your total estimate. Getting a truck from North Carolina to your new home state takes longer, so moving companies also adjust pricing to account for the time involved.
  • The type of move: You have four main options for your North Carolina move:
  • Home type: If you live in a one-bedroom ranch with a private driveway, your move will be logistically easier. Moving out of condos or high-rise apartments will require additional planning and loading time, especially if parking is an issue. Most movers will typically charge stair and elevator fees for moves that aren’t on the ground floor and homes with more than one story. Long-carry fees will also usually be applied if crews must carry items a longer distance to the truck due to parking limitations.
  • Add-on services: Generally speaking, the more you do yourself the less your North Carolina move is going to cost you. However, it can be nice to have professionals do your packing and unpacking for you. That’s going to cost a little extra, as will opting for increased insurance, tacking on short-term storage, or requesting customized crating for electronics, antiques, or fine art.
  • The time of the year: Moving in the summer can cost from 20-30% more than other times of year. That’s because summer is a popular time of year for relocations. Demand and limited availability during peak moving season drives prices up. Moving within or out of North Carolina between October and April, when moving companies have less demand, will certainly bring your costs down.

The average cost of living in North Carolina

  • The cost index in North Carolina is 100. This means it's similar to the national average.
  • The average rent in North Carolina for a one-bedroom apartment is $932 which is 29.71% lower than the national average.
  • The average home value in North Carolina is $320,716 which is about 9.92% less expensive than the national average.
  • The average income in North Carolina is $66,186 which is about 1.83% higher than the national average.

Options you have when moving in North Carolina

Hire a professional moving company

Hiring a professional mover in North Carolina is most likely going to be the most expensive option, but you are paying for some extra convenience, like not having to load and drive a truck yourself.

Below is a list of the best moving companies in North Carolina to hire for your move.

Moving truck rental

Rent a moving truck from a company like U-Haul to pack, load, and transport your belongings from one North Carolina location to another or to another state. This is the cheapest option but will require the most amount of work — you’ll need to box up and load your items, drive the truck, and unload your belongings at your new place.

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  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
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  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
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Moving containers or PODS

Rent a moving container if you’re looking for a balance of affordability and convenience. With this moving option, you load the container and the professionals drive it to your new location in North Carolina for you. Moving containers typically cost more than a rental truck but less than hiring a professional mover.

This is also a great option if you need storage with your move. Many container companies like PODS include 30-days of free storage with all moves.

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  • Long distance moves only
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  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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Hire a freight shipper

Use freight shipping if you are moving a large amount of stuff across the country from North Carolina. With a freight shipper, you pack a large 28-foot trailer at your house and they drive it for you. This is a good option for large cross-country moves.

How do I ship a car in North Carolina?

Professional car shippers will apply their years of know-how to help get your car to your new home as part of your long-distance move. Here are the top car shippers in NC:

Company Our take Rating Price
Easy Auto Ship
Best for Quick Pickup
starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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Sherpa Auto Transport
Best for Accurate Pricing
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Ship A Car Direct
Best Insurance Coverage
starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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Montway Auto Transport
Best Cross-Country Shipper
starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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AmeriFreight Car Transport
Best for Discounts
starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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Things to know about your North Carolina move

Although cost is certainly important, there are other factors that you should consider about your move.

  • 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).
  • Mover's 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.
  • Weather: North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.

Tips to save money on your North Carolina move

Regardless of whether you decide to hire a professional full-service mover or go the DIY route, there are some easy things you can do to help you save money on your North Carolina move:

  • Declutter and downsize. Decluttering before moving is a great way to reduce costs, since the less you have, the less it will cost to move it! You can donate items you don’t want to keep and may even be able to make some extra cash selling higher-value, gently used pieces.
  • Ask about moving discounts. A lot of moving companies provide special offers for veterans, students, senior citizens, and new customers, so make sure you ask when you’re shopping around for a mover.
  • Move during the off-season. Movers are busiest between mid-May and mid-September, so, if you can, plan your moving day outside of this peak season. Additionally, movers tend to charge more on weekends because of high demand. If you’re able to relocate during the week, you might save some money.
  • Book your move well in advance. Last-minute moves cost more, so if you plan ahead and book at least two months in advance, you’ll be paying less than if you waited until a couple weeks before your moving day.
  • Handle packing yourself. Even if you go with a full-service mover for your North Carolina move, you can save money by packing yourself instead of paying a company to do it for you.

What is the cheapest way to move in North Carolina?

The cheapest way to move within North Carolina is by using a DIY option. For some people in North Carolina, it’s cheaper to rent a moving truck, but for others, it makes more sense to hire a professional moving company.

While it seems like a DIY move would also be the cheapest way to relocate out of North Carolina, that’s not always the case. Truck rentals can save you money on shorter-distance moves. But for out-of-state relocations, hidden or unexpected expenses like gas, mileage, toll charges, and even food and accommodations on your trip can add up quickly and even push the price of your truck rental above what it would cost to use a full-service mover.

To help you decide, use our moving cost calculator to get free personalized, instant quotes and quickly compare the cost of truck rentals and professional moving companies.

Helpful North Carolina resources

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