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I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.
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Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
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  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

Average cost of local movers in Hickory, NC

Hiring a full-service Hickory mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Hickory move.

Here's how much professional movers cost in Hickory based on your move size:

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $494 $160 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $654 $160 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $1,003 $223 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $2,212 $313 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $2,525 $313 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $3,838 $438 5 movers 10 hours

Read more cost detailstoggle

  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Hickory to move a studio apartment is $160 per hour for three hours using a two-person moving crew.
  • One bedroom: Moving a one-bedroom Hickory apartment or home will typically take four hours, at an hourly rate of $160, and require two movers.
  • Two bedrooms: It will cost $223 an hour, on average, to hire a three-person crew in Hickory to move a two-bedroom home. Two-bedroom moves usually take about five hours.
  • Three bedrooms: Local Hickory movers charge an average hourly rate of $313 for a three-bedroom home. A move of this size will usually take eight hours to complete using four movers.
  • Four bedrooms: For a four-bedroom house in Hickory, you can expect to pay $313 per hour for nine hours. You'll likely need a four-person moving crew.
  • Five or more bedrooms: If your Hickory home is a five-bedroom or larger, you will pay $438 an hour, on average, for five movers. Moves this size usually take about ten hours to complete.

It's worth noting that the cost per hour for Hickory movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $160 per hour for two movers to $438 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher total cost.

Overall, hiring local Hickory movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.

Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Hickory move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Best local moving companies in Hickory, NC

Our expert team has thoroughly analyzed licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to identify the top local moving companies in Hickory.

  1. Bellhop Moving: 4.72 out of 5 stars
  2. Hornet Moving : 4.62 out of 5 stars
  3. Ashe Van Lines Moving and Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
  4. Barringer Moving & Storage, LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
  5. In & Out Moving & Delivery: 4.48 out of 5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/BellhopMoving/, https://twitter.com/BellhopMoving
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (41%)
  • Efficient service (36%)
  • Good communication (35%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (40%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (29%)
  • Lack of communication (23%)
Review Analysis
Bellhop Moving stands out for professional and courteous movers who work efficiently and handle items with care. More than half of feedback praises friendly attitudes, quick moving times, and help from knowledgeable staff. Many people found the process organized and appreciated clear communication from crews. On the other hand, customers report frequent problems with damage to items, late arrivals, and difficulties resolving complaints. Several describe poor compensation for damaged possessions and challenges communicating with customer service. While the hands-on teams often outshine competitors and keep local moves smooth, Bellhop’s administrative side leaves many customers dissatisfied, especially when things go wrong. Out of 79 reviews, 54% contained positive experiences, but issues with item safety and unreliability are mentioned at a higher rate compared with most other moving companies.
Get a Quote (866) 774-5063

Company Info

State license #: 2968

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 2878240


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
https://www.facebook.com/HornetMovingNC/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Professional and polite staff (28%)
  • Good communication (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (18%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
  • Lack of communication (10%)
Review Analysis
Hornet Moving draws attention for its speedy, careful service and professionalism, winning praise from 353 out of 389 sampled reviews—over 90% positive feedback. Customers say move-in day is efficient, belongings arrive in great shape, and crews are friendly as well as responsive. Input frequently spotlights their fast pace, courteous movers, and transparent communication, which set Hornet apart from other Charlotte-area moving companies. Pricing tends to be more straightforward than competitors, and many repeat clients comment favorably on their consistent results, flexibility, and hassle-free booking. There are negative experiences, though: some report significant damage to furniture or homes, with frustration focused on unresolved claims, low-value compensation for losses, or mishandling of items. The few neutral comments cluster around billing surprises and minor communication gaps. Hornet’s overwhelmingly strong client input makes it a local standout, with more reliability and care noted than many peers—but their claims handling and diligence with fragile pieces represent areas to watch for future customers or those with valuables.
Get a Quote (704) 620-2154

Company Info

State license #: 2615

Years in Business: 7

DOT #: 2841083

Alternate Names: Hornet Moving


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Offices
  • Pianos
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048999381187, https://twitter.com/ashevanlines
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (40%)
  • Professional and polite staff (38%)
  • Careful handling (35%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (15%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (12%)
  • Lack of communication (10%)
Review Analysis
Movers that care set Ashe Van Lines apart. Our analysis of 223 customer feedback entries shows 94% positive remarks, with a reputation for professionalism, fast service, and careful handling of belongings. Customers highlight the team’s respectful approach and recommend them widely for both local and out-of-state moves. Many note the efficiency and politeness of the staff, with moves completed faster than expected and at rates often deemed affordable compared to industry norms. Some even mention personal touches from management and flexible scheduling. Negative experiences, while rare, point to issues like damaged items, surprise charges, and occasional delays—problems that can sour the process and are less common with leading national movers. A couple of three-star reviews reflect communication issues and minor property damage. Overall, feedback suggests Ashe Van Lines consistently delivers high-quality moving support, excelling in professionalism and care, though potential customers should confirm details up front to avoid rare but significant problems.
Get a Quote (828) 851-6833

Company Info

State license #: 2627

Years in Business: 8

DOT #: 2844367


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/barringermovingandstorage/, https://twitter.com/barringermoving
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (30%)
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
  • Careful handling (20%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (35%)
  • Unexpected charges (30%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
Barringer Moving & Storage, LLC stands out for delivering a highly professional and efficient moving experience. Out of 129 customer reviews, nearly 90% praise the company's courteous, careful staff and strong communication. Feedback frequently highlights affordable and transparent pricing, especially compared to other moving companies. Positive experiences mention respectful crews who protect belongings and properties as if they were their own, making moves easy even in stressful situations. While most customers felt confident recommending Barringer, some noted high costs and issues with packing quality and missing or damaged items during a few moves. Cost-related concerns appeared more often in negative input than at similar companies. Although complaints are few, they suggest that those seeking the lowest price or needing flawless packing should clarify expectations beforehand. Barringer demonstrates a level of professionalism and care rarely seen among moving companies, reflected in repeated high ratings from satisfied customers.
Get a Quote (828) 851-4383

Company Info

State license #: 2509

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 2062164


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Hot Tubs
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Grandfather clocks
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
https://www.facebook.com/InOutMovingDelivery, https://twitter.com/InOutMoving
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (34%)
  • Professional and polite staff (32%)
  • Good communication (30%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (36%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (24%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
Packing professionalism gets people talking. In & Out Moving & Delivery received 125 reviews, with 84% sharing positive feedback. Customers highlight efficient service, professionalism, careful handling, speedy moves, and affordable pricing. People consistently praise teams for their friendliness and for making moves feel less stressful and more organized than with competitors. Negative customers point to damage to items, missing belongings, and difficulty reaching staff for unresolved concerns. Some input notes items lost or mishandled, late deliveries, or lack of follow-up after mistakes. The majority found the company reliable and affordable, but a small share were frustrated by significant issues that others did not face during their move.
Get a Quote (828) 728-1141

Company Info

State license #: 2502

Years in Business: 14

DOT #: 1971143


Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Offices
  • Pay by money order
  • Pay by cash
  • Pay by credit card

Visit our best movers in Hickory page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you're moving outside of Hickory, consider one of Hickory's top long-distance movers.

Moving costs in other nearby North Carolina citiestoggle

Average cost of moving containers in Hickory, NC

The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Hickory. The exact PODS cost you'll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.

A local Hickory move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Hickory can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.

Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:

  • Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
  • Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
  • Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)

If you're looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You'll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it's loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won't have to worry about driving.

PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Hickory based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.

Best moving containers in Hickory, NC

The best Hickory moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.

Check out these highly rated moving containers:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Average cost to rent a moving truck in Hickory, NC

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Hickory will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Hickory ranges from $19-$39 per day.

While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.

Here are the typical costs of Hickory rental trucks:

  • Base cost: $19–$39 per day
  • Mileage fee: $0.79–$0.79 per mile
  • Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
  • Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
  • Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets

The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:

  • How far you drive the truck
  • How long you have the truck rental
  • Additional insurance
  • Parking
  • Toll fees
  • Fuel
  • Accommodations and dining
  • Moving equipment rentals

Best moving truck rentals in Hickory, NC

The best moving truck rentals in Hickory provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.

These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Hickory, NC

The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Hickory is an hourly rate of $57 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $114.0 per hour to hire labor assistance in Hickory.

Best labor-only moving companies in Hickory

The best Hickory labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.

We like these top-notch labor-only movers:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
  • Nationwide
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Online booking
  • Move Concierge
  • Affordable

Factors that affect the cost of movers in Hickory, NC

The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Hickory, NC, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:

  • The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
  • When you move: You'll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
  • The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
  • Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.

Quick tips for a stress-free move

  • Have important documentation. Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance and elevator reservation on moving day.
  • Get approval. Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Secure a parking permit (if needed).
  • Check state licensing laws. 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).
  • Invest in moving 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.

Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.

What is the cheapest way to move to Hickory?

If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading, and they transport your belongings in Hickory for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.

Here are the average moving costs from Hickory to another state with different types of movers:

Destination Professional Movers Containers Rental Trucks
Manchester $2,857 - $6,900 $1,647 - $3,495 $763 - $1,588
Sioux Falls $2,972 - $7,125 $1,929 - $3,922 $1,090 - $2,202
Billings $3,584 - $8,253 $2,479 - $4,791 $1,501 - $3,244

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