Quick answer: Expect to pay $1,782–$8,936 for a move from Charlotte to Riverside, with most moves taking seven to 18 days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 2,394 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Riverside to Charlotte guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
From North Carolina to California, your interstate move will have a lot of moving parts — starting with which company to hire. Charlotte has 33 options for interstate moves, and each one comes with different strengths and specialties. Deciding which is right for you can be a challenge in itself.
After comparing service packages, pricing details, and real feedback from customer reviews, we were able to pinpoint the best long-distance movers in Charlotte for every moving option.
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Charlotte to Riverside
Making the trip from Charlotte to Riverside is easier when you hire a full-service moving company to handle every stage of the relocation. From packing and loading to delivery and unpacking, they manage the process so you can focus on the bigger picture.
We’ve put together a list of the best full-service movers for this route to help you make the move with ease.
Safeway Moving
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
American Van Lines
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Allied Van Lines
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mayzlin Relocation
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
North American Van Lines
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
What moving services are available in Charlotte?
How we chose the best moving companies for your NC to CA move
Local moving companies servicing Charlotte to Riverside moves
When planning a move from Charlotte to Riverside, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Charlotte who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Charlotte to Riverside.
- You Move Me: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Hilldrup: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Best Movers US: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- TBC Movers: 4.72 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2572
Years in Business: 10
DOT #: 2518689
Alternate Names: TEC Ventures LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2406
Years in Business: 45
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Gentle Giant Moving Co. (NC), LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2210
Years in Business: 121
DOT #: 22302
Alternate Names: Hilldrup Companies, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2539
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2317956
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2975
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 2585931
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Charlotte to Riverside?
Charlotte movers charge $80 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 | $1,483 - $6,496 | $1,649 - $4,175 | $1,595 - $3,085 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,438 - $8,936 | $2,901 - $5,900 | $1,782 - $3,827 |
4+ bedrooms | $8,258 - $13,268 | $3,872 - $8,006 | $2,296 - $4,645 |
Cost to hire movers from North Carolina to California
Planning a move from North Carolina to California? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,483 and $6,496. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,438 and $8,936 for the same journey (NC to CA). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $8,258 to $13,268.
Cost of moving containers from North Carolina to California
If you're moving from North Carolina to California, expect to pay between $1,649 and $4,175 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,901 up to $5,900. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,872 and $8,006. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from North Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from North Carolina to California
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $1,595 and $3,085 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $1,782 to $3,827. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $2,296 to $4,645.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from Charlotte to Riverside
What to know before moving from Charlotte to Riverside
Many movers find Riverside easier on the wallet than Charlotte — roughly 19% less for singles and 33% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,573 for one person in Riverside versus $3,158 in Charlotte. For a family of four, it’s $5,604 compared with $8,325.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
- You may want to budget more for rent in Riverside, since prices are typically 28% higher than in Charlotte.
- The home prices in Riverside are 64.0% higher than in Charlotte, 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 Riverside, where incomes are, on average, 18.4% higher than in Charlotte. Major employers in Riverside include Bourns, California Baptist University, and Riverside County Office of Education.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Riverside. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 18.5% lower than in Charlotte.
- A move to Riverside 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 32.7% less than what it costs in Charlotte.
- The unemployment rate in Riverside is 115.15% higher than in Charlotte.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Riverside, since its sales taxes are 20.69% higher than what you are paying in Charlotte.
- State income taxes in Riverside are 195.56% higher than in Charlotte.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Charlotte and Riverside:
Charlotte | Riverside | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $156.99 | $226.85 |
Cell phone plan | $54.78 | $46.5 |
Dozen eggs | $4.55 | $5.45 |
Loaf of bread | $3.82 | $4.02 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18 | $19 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80 | $85 |
Gym membership | $51.9 | $35 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charlotte than in Riverside, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Charlotte than in Riverside.
- Eggs are less expensive in Charlotte than in Riverside.
- Bread costs less in Charlotte than in Riverside.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Charlotte than in Riverside.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Charlotte than in Riverside.
- Gym memberships cost more in Charlotte than in Riverside.
How life is different in Charlotte vs. Riverside
Riverside | Charlotte | |
---|---|---|
Population | 317,261 | 874,579 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 43 | 26 |
Bike friendliness score | 49 | 31 |
Crime Index | 40.24 | 46.52 |
Safety Index | 59.76 | 53.48 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Riverside's population is about 64% less than Charlotte.
- Riverside's public transportation has a similar score to Charlotte.
- Riverside is more walkable than Charlotte with a score of 43 out of 100 vs Charlotte's 26 out of 100.
- With a score of 49 out of 100, Riverside is more bike-friendly than Charlotte, which has a score of 31 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Riverside's crime rate is lower than Charlotte with a score of 40.24 compared to Charlotte's 46.52. This means that Riverside neighborhoods are safer than 40.24% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charlotte neighborhoods are safer than 46.52%.
- Riverside is considered to be safer than Charlotte with a safety index of 59.76 vs Charlotte's 53.48.
- Air quality in Riverside is moderate, and in Charlotte it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Charlotte vs. Riverside move
- Weather: Riverside has hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.
- 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While California 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 Riverside 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. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Riverside
Now that you've chosen City of Arts and Innovation as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Riverside to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Canyon Crest
- Victoria
- Downtown
- Magnolia Center
- La Sierra South
Best neighborhoods for families
- Orangecrest
- Mission Grove
- Canyon Crest
- Alessandro Heights
- Victoria
Things to do in Riverside
Now that you've made the move to California it's the perfect time to explore Riverside From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Riverside is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the March Field Air Museum, Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Art Museum, Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center, and Heritage House.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Mount Rubidoux Park, Fairmount Park, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, and Ryan Bonaminio Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an California Baptist Lancers (College sports), UC Riverside Highlanders (College sports), or Riverside City College Tigers (College sports): Baseball, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Water Polo, Softball, Beach Volleyball, Volleyball game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charlotte to Riverside?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charlotte to Riverside. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Charlotte.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charlotte to Riverside?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charlotte to Riverside moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Charlotte to Riverside take?
Covering 2,394 miles, the move from Charlotte, NC to Riverside, CA typically takes seven to 18 days. Some Charlotte movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Riverside can help bridge the gap.
Do movers in Charlotte offer any discounts?
Many do — and the types of discounts available can help you cut costs. 1 movers in Charlotte offer AAA member savings. 1 movers provide military discounts. 1 movers extend senior citizen discounts.
Because offers change, confirm details with your mover to make sure you’re getting the most out of available deals.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Charlotte?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 28 movers in Charlotte provide piano moving services. 11 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 78 piano movers and 38 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2172 and 1398.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.