Quick answer: Expect to pay $646–$6,877 for a move from Detroit to Chapel Hill, with most moves taking one to six days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 653 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chapel Hill to Detroit guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Detroit to Chapel Hill
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Detroit to Chapel Hill can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your MI to NC move
Local movers servicing Detroit to Chapel Hill moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Detroit that also provides long-distance services to Chapel Hill can feel overwhelming. Many companies make similar promises, but not all live up to them.
That's where we come in — we've analyzed local movers in Detroit who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Detroit to Chapel Hill.
- Palmer Moving Services: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Grosse Pointe Moving & Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- White Star Movers, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Royal Movers Enterprises, LLC: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 114
DOT #: 511993
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 41
DOT #: 279708
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 39
DOT #: 624288
Alternate Names: Whitestar Movers, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1673815
Alternate Names: Royal Movers
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
DOT #: 2527384
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Detroit to Chapel Hill?
Detroit movers charge $100 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,467 - $4,807 | $884 - $2,289 | $617 - $1,098 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,872 - $6,877 | $1,706 - $3,331 | $646 - $1,344 |
4+ bedrooms | $5,097 - $10,056 | $2,194 - $3,906 | $782 - $1,577 |
Cost to hire movers from Michigan to North Carolina
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Michigan to North Carolina typically costs between $1,467 and $4,807. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $2,872 and $6,877 when moving from MI to NC. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Michigan to North Carolina, you're looking at costs ranging from $5,097 up to $10,056.
Cost of moving containers from Michigan to North Carolina
If you're moving from Michigan to North Carolina, expect to pay between $884 and $2,289 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,706 up to $3,331. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $2,194 and $3,906. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Michigan.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Michigan to North Carolina
Looking to save money? Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option. Just keep in mind that you'll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you're moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $617 and $1,098. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $646 and $1,344. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $782 and $1,577.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that influence moving costs from Detroit to Chapel Hill
What to know before moving from Detroit to Chapel Hill
Moving from Detroit to Chapel Hill means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Detroit than in Chapel Hill, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Detroit compares to Chapel Hill so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Detroit | Chapel Hill | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,250 | $1,950 |
Average home value | $73,156 | $592,460 |
Average income (per capita) | $37,761 | $65,621 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,500 | $2,248 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,687 | $4,790 |
Unemployment rate | 9.06% | 3.2% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 7.5% |
State income tax | 4.25% | 4.5% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Chapel Hill, since prices are typically 56% higher than in Detroit.
- The home prices in Chapel Hill are 709.9% higher than in Detroit, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Chapel Hill, where incomes are, on average, 73.8% higher than in Detroit. Major employers in Chapel Hill include University of North Carolina, Performance Bicycle, and Investors Title.
- 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 10.1% lower than in Detroit.
- 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 28.4% less than what it costs in Detroit.
- The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 64.68% lower than in Detroit.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chapel Hill, since its sales taxes are 25.00% higher than what you are paying in Detroit.
- State income taxes in Chapel Hill are 5.88% higher than in Detroit.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,697.60 in Chapel Hill to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Detroit.
How life is different in Detroit vs. Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill | Detroit | |
---|---|---|
Population | 63,764 | 639,111 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 7 |
Walkability score | 34 | 51 |
Bike friendliness score | 50 | 52 |
Crime Index | 26.42 | 72.92 |
Safety Index | 73.58 | 27.08 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Chapel Hill might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 90% less than Detroit.
- Getting around Chapel Hill without a car might be more difficult than in Detroit. Chapel Hill has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Detroit is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
- Chapel Hill neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Detroit. Based on its score of 34 out of 100, Chapel Hill isn't as walkable as Detroit, which has a score of 51 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.
- Chapel Hill and Detroit are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 50 and 52 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Chapel Hill has a lower crime rate than Detroit based on scores of 26.42 and Detroit's 72.92, 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 Detroit, based on Chapel Hill's safety index of 73.58 versus 27.08 for Detroit. 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 isn't as good as it is in Detroit, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Chapel Hill has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Detroit is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Detroit vs. Chapel Hill move
- 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: 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 “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 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill
With your sights set on Southern Part of Heaven, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chapel Hill.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Chapel Hill
- Franklin Street Area
- Carrboro
- Midtown Chapel Hill
- East 54
Best neighborhoods for families
- Meadowmont
- Briar Chapel
- Dunhill
- Governor's Club
- Claremont/Claremont South
Things to do in Chapel Hill
After getting comfortable in your new North Carolina home, it's time to see what Chapel Hill is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Chapel Hill, such as 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 — along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an UNC Tar Heels (Various sports) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Chapel Hill?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Detroit to Chapel Hill are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Detroit. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Detroit to Chapel Hill?
Because most people are moving from Detroit to Chapel Hill 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 Detroit to Chapel Hill take?
Moving from Detroit, MI to Chapel Hill, NC covers 653 miles and usually takes one to six days Need to move faster? Some Detroit movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Chapel Hill.