$1,319 Movers From California to North Carolina
Fact Checked by: The cost to move from California to North Carolina averages from $1,610 to $7,866 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from North Carolina to California guide.
Moving from California to North Carolina resources
- Best California to North Carolina movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from California to North Carolina.
- How much do movers cost?: Use our moving cost calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving expenses.
- Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
- California to North Carolina car shippers: Moving your car? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced.
Moving 2,648 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.
The best California to North Carolina movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to North Carolina 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 California to North Carolina.
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- American Van Lines: Best industry reputation
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best upfront pricing
- Air Van northAmerican Van Lines: Best for complex moves
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
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If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
How much does it cost to move from California to North Carolina?
The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from California to North Carolina for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,319 - $5,506 | $1,380 - $3,435 | $1,487 - $2,880 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,865 - $7,866 | $2,449 - $5,105 | $1,610 - $3,429 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,269 - $12,181 | $3,376 - $6,950 | $2,034 - $4,207 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,648 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.
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to North Carolina will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to North Carolina?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to North Carolina will cost between $1,319 to $5,506. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NC will range from $3,865 to $7,866, and a large move from California to North Carolina will cost from $7,269 to $12,181.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to North Carolina?
Moving containers from California to North Carolina will cost you $1,380 to $3,435 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,449 to $5,105. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,376 to $6,950. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to North Carolina?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:
Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,487 to $2,880. A larger move will cost $1,610 to $3,429, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to North Carolina costs from $2,034 to $4,207.
Is moving from California to North Carolina a good idea?
If you’re moving to North Carolina from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of Living: California vs North Carolina
| California | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,503 | $907 |
| Average home cost | $758,360 | $282,312 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,672 | $54,602 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 94 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8% | 3.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.98% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.25% |
- Rent is about 40% less expensive in North Carolina than in California.
- Home prices are about 62.8% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- The average income is about 30.6% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- Cost of living is 6.0% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- North Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 36.2%.
- Sales taxes are 19.59% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- Income taxes are 60.53% lower in North Carolina than in California.
How is life different in North Carolina from California?
| North Carolina | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,439,388 | 39,237,836 |
| Political leaning | Republican 50-49 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer High | 88ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter Low | 29ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual Rain | 48" | 22" |
| Annual Snow | 4" | 7" |
| Crime Index | 26.87 | 25.7 |
- The population of North Carolina is approximately 73% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, North Carolina voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in North Carolina is 88ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, North Carolina reaches the temperature of 29ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in North Carolina vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In North Carolina, it snows about 4 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
- North Carolina has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 26.87 vs 25.7.
Comparing the pros of California vs. North Carolina:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs North Carolina side-by-side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Great communities |
| Pleasant weather | Low cost of living |
| Abundant recreational options | Ample economic opportunity |
| High quality of life | High quality of life |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. North Carolina:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for North Carolina.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Hurricanes |
| Heavy tax burdens | Bland weather |
| Natural disasters | High crime rate |
| Terrible traffic | High tax burden |
| Strange laws | Poor education |
Considerations for moving to North Carolina
- Weather: North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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 on the state regulator's official website.
- 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 forward to North Carolina. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080 (415) 544-7000 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Smooth Move USA | Get A Quote |
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3101 Gilmore Avenue, Bakersfield, CA, 93308 (661) 220-5147 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Things to do in North Carolina
While you’re in North Carolina, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.
- Biltmore Estate
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- USS North Carolina Battleship
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- North Carolina Zoo
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Chimney Rock State Park
- NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Discovery Place
- Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
- Linville Gorge and Falls
- Carolina Beach State Park
- North Carolina Aquariums
- Outer Banks
- William B. Umstead State Park
- Pullen Park
- Marbles Kids Museum
- Dead Broke Farm
FAQs about moving from California to North Carolina
What is the cheapest way to move from California to North Carolina?
The cheapest way to move from California to North Carolina is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to North Carolina?
The main reasons people are moving from California to North Carolina are the amazing upsides of living in North Carolina such as great communities and low cost of living.
