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Average cost of local movers in Raleigh, NC

Hiring a full-service Raleigh 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 Raleigh move.

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

Home size Avg. total cost Cost/hour # of movers # hours
Studio $363 $130 2 movers 3 hours
1 bedroom $493 $130 2 movers 4 hours
2 bedroom $776 $181 3 movers 5 hours
3 bedroom $1,757 $254 4 movers 8 hours
4 bedroom $2,011 $254 4 movers 9 hours
5+ bedroom $3,073 $355 5 movers 10 hours

Read more cost details

  • Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Raleigh to move a studio apartment is $130 per hour for three hours using a two-person moving crew.
  • One bedroom: Moving a one-bedroom Raleigh apartment or home will typically take four hours, at an hourly rate of $130, and require two movers.
  • Two bedrooms: It will cost $181 an hour, on average, to hire a three-person crew in Raleigh to move a two-bedroom home. Two-bedroom moves usually take about five hours.
  • Three bedrooms: Local Raleigh movers charge an average hourly rate of $254 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 Raleigh, you can expect to pay $254 per hour for nine hours. You'll likely need a four-person moving crew.
  • Five or more bedrooms: If your Raleigh home is a five-bedroom or larger, you will pay $355 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 Raleigh movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $130 per hour for two movers to $355 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.

Best local moving companies in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh.

  1. : 3.5 out of 5 stars
  2. : 3.5 out of 5 stars

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

Moving costs in other nearby North Carolina cities

Average cost to hire interstate movers in Raleigh, NC

Since the cost of moving out of Raleigh depends so much on where you're moving, we've included some example costs below to give you a better idea of pricing. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Raleigh or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.

Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Raleigh

The cost to move a studio apartment or one-bedroom home out of state from Raleigh depends on the moving method you choose, how much stuff you have, and how far you're moving.

Take a look at some example costs to move a one-bedroom cross-country:

Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Raleigh

As with any move, the cost to relocate a two- or three-bedroom from Raleigh can vary widely based on move size, distance, and time of year.

Here is a look at some two- and three-bedroom move costs out of Raleigh:

Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from Raleigh

The cost to move a four-bedroom or larger home out of North Carolina will be significantly higher than for one- or two-bedroom houses, since a bigger house typically means more items. Movers calculate long-distance moves, in part, based on the total estimated volume and weight of your household belongings.

While moving costs can vary, take a look at these cost ranges for moving four or more bedrooms out of Raleigh:

Best interstate moving companies in Raleigh, NC

Now that you have an idea of what your move from Raleigh should cost, it's time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

Average cost of moving containers in Raleigh, NC

The cost of moving containers, such as PODS, will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC

The best Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC

You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Raleigh will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Raleigh 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 Raleigh rental trucks:

  • Base cost: $19–$39 per day
  • Mileage fee: $0.59–$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 Raleigh, NC

The best moving truck rentals in Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC

The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Raleigh is an hourly rate of $46 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $92.5 per hour to hire labor assistance in Raleigh.

Best labor-only moving companies in Raleigh

The best Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC

The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Raleigh, 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). Raleigh's website doesn't specifically say that you need a parking permit but they do have rules on loading zones. Be sure to check directly with the City of Raleigh to ensure that you have what you need for your move. It's also a good idea to check directly with any neighborhood, HOA, or building regulations that may affect your move.
  • 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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh for you, or you can rent a moving truck and handle it all on your own.

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

Destination Professional Movers Containers Rental Trucks
New York City $2,270 - $5,858 $1,447 - $2,766 $509 - $1,096
Burlington $2,587 - $6,395 $1,665 - $3,241 $701 - $1,494
Little Rock $2,857 - $6,502 $1,716 - $3,326 $810 - $1,571

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