Top Raleigh, NC to Ontario, CA Movers

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Ontario to Raleigh guide.

1. Athens Moving Experts: 4.86 out of 5 stars
2. Bellhop Moving: 4.76 out of 5 stars
3. Little Guys Movers : 4.66 out of 5 stars
4. Excel Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
5. Miracle Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from North Carolina to California

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from North Carolina to California typically costs between $1,322 and $5,519. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $4,159 and $7,764 when moving from NC to CA. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from North Carolina to California, you're looking at costs ranging from $7,668 up to $13,028.

Cost of moving containers from North Carolina to California

If you're moving from North Carolina to California, expect to pay between $1,464 and $3,567 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $2,680 up to $5,462. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $3,653 and $7,275. 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

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,589 to $3,230. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,670 to $3,809, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from North Carolina to California costs around $2,261 to $4,403.

These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.

• You may want to budget more for rent in Ontario, since prices are typically 57% higher than in Raleigh.
• The home prices in Ontario are 54.7% higher than in Raleigh, 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 Ontario, where incomes are, on average, 2,695.8% higher than in Raleigh. Major employers in Ontario include Prime Healthcare, Niagara Bottling, and Gold Star Foods.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Ontario. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 59.3% lower than in Raleigh.
• A move to Ontario 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 4.7% less than what it costs in Raleigh.
• The unemployment rate in Ontario is 60.47% higher than in Raleigh.
• Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Ontario, since its sales taxes are 20.69% higher than what you are paying in Raleigh.
• State income taxes in Ontario are 195.56% higher than in Raleigh.

• Ontario might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 63% less than Raleigh.
• Ontario offers better access to buses and trains than Raleigh, based on public transportation ratings. Ontario has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 4 in Raleigh. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Ontario means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Raleigh. Ontario is considered more walkable than Raleigh, with a score of 48 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Raleigh. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Ontario is considered more bike-friendly than Raleigh in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Ontario has a bike-friendliness score of 46 out of 100, while Raleigh is rated as 39 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Ontario is higher than in Raleigh, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.25 in Ontario, it is 38.87 in Raleigh. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Ontario. With a crime index of 49.75, Ontario ranks lower in overall safety than Raleigh, whose index is 60.13. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Ontario has better air quality than in Raleigh. Ontario has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Raleigh. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

• Weather: Ontario with hot summers and mild 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 Ontario 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Downtown Ontario
• Piemonte
• Ontario Ranch
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Upland

Best neighborhoods for families

• Creekside
• Parkview
• Ontario Ranch
• College Park
• Downtown Ontario

Things to do in Ontario

After getting comfortable in your new California home, it's time to see what Ontario is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:

• Arts and culture: Ontario features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Museum of History and Art, Ontario.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Cucamonga-Guasti Regional 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 Ontario Reign (Hockey) and Ontario Professional Baseball (Dodgers Affiliate - 2026) game.