Top-rated local movers that handle Raleigh to Oakland moves
When planning a move from Raleigh to Oakland, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 28 local movers in Raleigh who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Raleigh to Oakland.
- Little Guys Movers : 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Athens Moving Experts: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Excel Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 2548
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 1931566
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2657
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3205320
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 2934
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 2261
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 2311
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 076235
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Raleigh to Oakland?
Movers in North Carolina charge $145 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 | $1,206 – $5,191 | $1,384 – $3,734 | $1,519 – $3,128 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,712 – $7,909 | $2,429 – $5,555 | $1,645 – $3,689 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,912 – $11,547 | $3,527 – $6,930 | $2,252 – $4,573 |
Cost to hire movers from Raleigh to Oakland
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Raleigh to Oakland, you can expect to spend between $1,206 and $5,191. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,712 to $7,909 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Raleigh to Oakland typically runs between $6,912 and $11,547.
Cost of moving containers from Raleigh to Oakland
When moving from Raleigh to Oakland, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,384 and $3,734. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,429 to $5,555. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,527 up to $6,930. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from North Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Raleigh to Oakland
Renting a moving truck in Raleigh is usually your cheapest option to get to Oakland. 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 $1,519 and $3,128. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,645 and $3,689. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $2,252 and $4,573.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Raleigh to Oakland

What to know before moving from Raleigh to Oakland
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Oakland runs about -48% higher for singles and 41% higher for families than Raleigh.
Singles spend around $3,146 in Raleigh versus $6,077 in Raleigh; families pay $8,584 compared with $6,077.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Raleigh | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,820 | $1,969 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,000 | $4,450 |
| Average home value | $431,795 | $736,156 |
| Average income (per capita) | $2,572 | $94,389 |
| Cost of living (single) | $6,077 | $3,146 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,077 | $8,584 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| Sales tax | 7.25% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 13.3% |
- As you consider relocating to Oakland, note that rent can be roughly 32% more expensive than it is in Raleigh; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 70% higher in Oakland than in Raleigh.
- Great news! You’ll find the average income is about 3570% higher in Oakland compared to Raleigh, giving you some extra room for savings or investments.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Oakland, where the cost of living for a single person is 48% less than in Raleigh.
- If your journey leads to Oakland, be prepared for higher living expenditures. The cost of living for a family in Oakland is 41% more than it is in Raleigh.
- Both Oakland and Raleigh present nearly identical unemployment rates, within a 5% range, signifying stability in employment conditions.
- Sales taxes are 41% higher in Oakland than in Raleigh. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 196% higher in California compared to North Carolina. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state’s tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Raleigh with Oakland:
| Living Expense | Raleigh | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $190.88 | $277.25 |
| Cell phone plan | $64.40 | $53.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.71 | $6.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.12 | $5.09 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $19.50 | $30.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $140.00 |
| Gym membership | $40.18 | $54.28 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Raleigh than in Oakland, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Raleigh than in Oakland.
- Eggs are less expensive in Raleigh than in Oakland.
- Bread costs less in Raleigh than in Oakland.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Raleigh than in Oakland.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Raleigh than in Oakland.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Raleigh than in Oakland.
How life is different in Raleigh vs. Oakland
| Raleigh | Oakland | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 467,665 | 440,646 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 31 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 39 | 65 |
| Crime index | 38.87 | 68.62 |
| Safety index | 60.13 | 31.38 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Oakland’s population is about 6% less than Raleigh.
- Oakland’s public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Raleigh’s score of 4.
- Oakland is more walkable than Raleigh with a score of 75 out of 100 vs Raleigh’s 31 out of 100.
- With a score of 65 out of 100, Oakland is more bike-friendly than Raleigh, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Oakland’s crime rate is higher than Raleigh with a score of 68.62 compared to Raleigh’s 38.87. This means that Oakland neighborhoods are safer than 68.62% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Raleigh neighborhoods are safer than 38.87%.
- Oakland is considered to be less safe than Raleigh with a score of 31.38 vs Raleigh’s 60.13.
- Air quality in Oakland is Good, and in Raleigh it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Raleigh to Oakland move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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: 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a California moving company’s license by visiting 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: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Oakland smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Oakland
Now that you’ve chosen The Town as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Oakland to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- Grand Lake
- Piedmont Avenue
- Rockridge
- Temescal
Best neighborhoods for families
- Fairview Park
- Rockridge
- Bushrod
- Upper Rockridge
- Lakeshore
Things to do in Oakland
After getting comfortable in your new California home, it’s time to see what Oakland is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Oakland offers cultural landmarks like the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space & Science Center, USS Potomac, and Oakland Aviation Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and Lakeside Park and Garden Center — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Oakland Athletics (MLB)Oakland Roots DC (USLC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Oakland?
When is the cheapest time to move from Raleigh to Oakland?
How long does a move from Raleigh to Oakland take?
Which discounts can you find from movers in Raleigh?
Which movers in Raleigh offer piano or antique moving?
Helpful moving resources
Raleigh moving services
Popular North Carolina routes
- North Carolina to California car shippers
- North Carolina to California movers
- North Carolina to Florida movers
- North Carolina to Georgia movers
- North Carolina to Illinois movers
- North Carolina to Michigan movers
- North Carolina to New York movers
- North Carolina to Ohio movers
- North Carolina to Pennsylvania movers
- North Carolina to Texas movers
- See All Moving Routes
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!