Factors influencing moving costs from Columbus to Charlottetoggle

The cost of Columbus movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Columbus to Charlotte can be as low as $1,186 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 6,585.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbus, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $425 to $948. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Columbus to Charlotte

Moving from Columbus to Charlotte comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Charlotte is generally more expensive than Columbus, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Columbus Charlotte
Average rent cost $1,100 $1,790
Average home value $157,861 $391,658
Average income (per capita) $50,542 $64,814
Cost of living (single person) $2,041 $3,158
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,834 $8,325
Unemployment rate 5.3% 3.3%
Sales tax 9.0% 7.25%
State income tax 5.49% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Charlotte are 63% higher than in Columbus, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Columbus.
    Home prices in Charlotte are 148.1% higher than in Columbus.
  • Income in Charlotte is 28.2% higher than in Columbus, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Charlotte include Atrium Health, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Bank of America.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Charlotte, since the cost of living for a single person in Charlotte is 54.7% higher than in Columbus. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Charlotte, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Charlotte is 117.1% higher than in Columbus.
  • The unemployment rate in Charlotte is 37.74% lower than in Columbus.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Charlotte, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Charlotte are 19.44% lower than in Columbus.
  • One perk of moving to Charlotte is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.03% lower than in Columbus.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,641.84 in Charlotte to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.

How life is different in Columbus vs. Charlotte

Charlotte Columbus
Population 874,579 206,922
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 2
Walkability score 26 25
Bike friendliness score 31 31
Crime Index 46.52 72.18
Safety Index 53.48 27.82
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Charlotte's population is about 323% greater than Columbus.
  • Charlotte's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Columbus's lower score of 2.
  • Charlotte and Columbus are similarily walkable.
  • Both Charlotte and Columbus have the same bike-friendliness score of 31 out of 100, meaning Charlotte is about as safe for cyclists as Columbus. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
  • Charlotte's crime rate is lower than Columbus with a score of 46.52 compared to Columbus's 72.18. This means that Charlotte neighborhoods are safer than 46.52% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbus neighborhoods are safer than 72.18%.
  • Charlotte is considered to be safer than Columbus with a safety index of 53.48 vs Columbus's 27.82.
  • Air quality in Charlotte is moderate, and in Columbus it's good.

Other things to consider for your Columbus vs. Charlotte move

  • Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 forwarded to Charlotte. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Charlotte

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Queen City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Charlotte.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Belmont
  • Dilworth
  • Elizabeth
  • First Ward
  • Freedom Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Ballantyne West
  • Providence Plantation
  • Davidson
  • Marvin
  • Tega Cay

Things to do in Charlotte

After settling into your new North Carolina home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Charlotte has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Charlotte is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Billy Graham Library, Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum, and Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Arequipa Park, Baxter Street Park, Fourth Ward Park, and Frazier Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte FC, or Charlotte Checkers game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Columbus to Charlotte?

The best time to move from Columbus to Charlotte is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbus.

When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Charlotte?

Because most people are moving from Columbus to Charlotte in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Columbus to Charlotte take?

The 350-mile move from Columbus, GA, to Charlotte, NC, takes one to four days. Some Columbus movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Charlotte.

Helpful moving resources