($1,372) Moving From California to North Carolina
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to North Carolina ranges from $1,670 to $8,190 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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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.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to North Carolina separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from North Carolina to California guide.
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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: Most experienced mover
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- JK Moving Services: Best for high-end moves
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 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
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
- Guaranteed pickup & delivery
- $250 deposit for interstate moves
- Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
- Financing available
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Air 1 Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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9556 Cozycroft Ave, Chatsworth, CA, 91311 (866) 485-1030 |
| Luigy's Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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5550 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112 (415) 413-4646 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to North Carolina?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move 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 | $1,372 - $5,915 | $1,442 - $3,591 | $1,669 - $2,957 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,118 - $8,190 | $2,533 - $5,445 | $1,670 - $3,667 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,978 - $12,685 | $3,456 - $7,342 | $2,219 - $4,589 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,659 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NC
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 $1,372 and $5,915. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NC will range from $4,118 to $8,190, and a large move from California to North Carolina will cost from $7,978 to $12,685.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to North Carolina?
Moving containers from California to North Carolina will cost you $1,442 to $3,591 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,533 to $5,445. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,456 to $7,342. 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.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,669 to $2,957.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,670 to $3,667,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to North Carolina costs from
$2,219 to $4,589.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
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 | $1,586 | $932 |
| Average home cost | $746,055 | $320,716 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $66,186 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 4.52% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 9.9% |
- Rent is about 41% less expensive in North Carolina than in California.
- Home prices are about 57% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- The average income is about 28% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- Cost of living is about the same in North Carolina and California.
- North Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 13%.
- Sales taxes are 48% lower in North Carolina than in California.
- Income taxes are 26% lower in North Carolina than in California.
How does life in North Carolina differ from California?
| North Carolina | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,698,973 | 39,029,342 |
| 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 | 26.71 | 27.88 |
- 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 forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in North Carolina versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In North Carolina, it snows about four inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- North Carolina has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 26.71.
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 versus 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 all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some 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 |
What to know before your move 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to North Carolina. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
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
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.
Is it cheaper to live in California or North Carolina?
It is generally cheaper to live in North Carolina than in California. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in North Carolina, with average rent about 41% less and home prices 57.0% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in North Carolina, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in North Carolina?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in North Carolina you live For example, larger cities like Albemarle and Anderson Creek will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
