Top Sacramento, CA to Chapel Hill, NC Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chapel Hill to Sacramento guide.

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.76 out of 5 stars
2. California Moving Systems, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
3. House to Home Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
4. Mother Lode Van & Storage Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
5. Metropolitan Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from California to North Carolina

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from California to North Carolina typically costs between $1,587 and $7,038. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $5,079 and $9,903 when moving from CA to NC. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from California to North Carolina, you're looking at costs ranging from $9,005 up to $15,801.

Cost of moving containers from California to North Carolina

When you're heading from California to North Carolina, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,805 and $4,498. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $3,202 and $6,688. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $4,375 to $9,119. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from California easier and more affordable.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to North Carolina

Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.

If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $2,007 and $3,891. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $2,028 and $4,190. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $2,512 up to $5,306 for your rental truck.

These quotes include estimated fuel costs.

• You may want to budget more for rent in Chapel Hill, since prices are typically 3% higher than in Sacramento.
• The home prices in Chapel Hill are 24.3% higher than in Sacramento, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• Income in Chapel Hill is 16.9% lower than in Sacramento, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chapel Hill — including University of North Carolina, Performance Bicycle, and Investors Title — may pay more.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chapel Hill. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 15.4% lower than in Sacramento.
• A move to Chapel Hill can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 22.6% less than what it costs in Sacramento.
• The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 58.44% lower than in Sacramento.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Chapel Hill, since the city's sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 14.29% lower than in Sacramento.
• One perk of moving to Chapel Hill is paying less in state income taxes, which are 66.17% lower than in Sacramento.

• Chapel Hill might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 88% less than Sacramento.
• Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Chapel Hill will be about the same as it currently is in Sacramento. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
• Chapel Hill neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Sacramento. Based on its score of 34 out of 100, Chapel Hill isn't as walkable as Sacramento, which has a score of 49 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Chapel Hill, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Sacramento. While Sacramento has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, Chapel Hill earned a 50. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Chapel Hill has a lower crime rate than Sacramento based on scores of 26.42 and Sacramento's 49.21, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Chapel Hill than in Sacramento, based on Chapel Hill's safety index of 73.58 versus 50.79 for Sacramento. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• The air quality in Chapel Hill and Sacramento is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
• HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: While North Carolina doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Chapel Hill without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Downtown Chapel Hill
• Franklin Street Area
• Carrboro
• Midtown Chapel Hill
• East 54

Best neighborhoods for families

• Meadowmont
• The Oaks
• Southern Village
• Dunhill
• Westfall

Things to do in Chapel Hill

After settling into your new North Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Chapel Hill has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

• Arts and culture: Chapel Hill features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the The Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Kidzu Children's Museum, and FRANK Gallery.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, and Battle Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an UNC Tar Heels (Various sports) game.