Local moving companies in Raleigh
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Little Guys Movers : 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Athens Moving Experts: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Sawyer All Carolina Professional Moving & Packing: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Next Stop Movers: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Bellhop Moving

DOT #: 2878240
Years in Business: 14
8024 Glenwood Ave, Suite 305, Raleigh, NC 27612 USBellhop Moving earns high marks for efficiency and professionalism, with 62% of input reflecting strong satisfaction out of the 92 reviews analyzed. Customers highlight prompt, careful service from polite movers, quick moving processes, and competitive pricing. Many praise the care taken with belongings, friendly attitudes, and seamless booking. On the downside, over one-third of customer feedback cites frustration with damages to furniture or property, poor communication, and instances where movers lacked experience or preparation. A few reviewers also faced unresolved claims, delays, or insufficient compensation for damaged items. While Bellhop offers more budget-friendly rates and efficient service compared to many moving companies, the risk of damages and inconsistent quality underscores the importance of clear communication and setting expectations. Most who use Bellhop for standard, smaller moves appreciate the value, but concerns remain for complex or larger moves requiring extra care or experience.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2878240
- State license #: 2934
Alternative Business Names
- Bellhops, Inc.
Little Guys Movers

DOT #: 1931566
Years in Business: 31
1301 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603 USRave input says Little Guys Movers stands out for reliable, professional teams who handle belongings with care and keep things moving efficiently. Out of 315 reviews, an overwhelming 93.7% rate the company highly, often calling out polite staff, excellent communication, careful handling, and fast, organized service as reasons to recommend them. Quotes usually match the final cost, and customers note that movers arrive on time, stay upbeat, and make stressful moves feel easy. On the other hand, negative feedbackโabout 5.4%โfocuses on damaged items, with a few cases of slow or careless service, and occasional complaints about unexpectedly high or confusing charges and poor communication during claims or repairs. With positive ratings far above industry averages, Little Guys Movers garners trust through skilled teams and transparent pricing practices, though a handful of customers encounter problems with damage resolution or billing discrepancies.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1931566
- State license #: 2548
Athens Moving Experts

DOT #: 3205320
Years in Business: 8
6601 Hillsborough St, Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27606 USAthens Moving Experts gets top marks from customers who appreciate reliable, courteous, and hardworking crews. Nearly 94% of feedback is positive across 334 reviews. People routinely mention how efficiently the teams work, how carefully they handle belongings, and how friendly and communicative they are throughout the process. Fair pricing stands out as another frequent highlight compared to competitors. A few clients, however, report issues such as damaged or poorly packed items, especially during busy or larger moves. Some negative input also cites crews lacking experience or rushing, which led to mistakes. In the rare neutral reviews, most concerns relate to minor service lapses or pandemic-related policy misunderstandings rather than major moving problems. Athensโs consistent reputation for speed, respectful service, and professionalism places them ahead of most local movers, but a small number of clients wish for even greater attention to packing quality and oversight during complex jobs.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3205320
- State license #: 2657
Sawyer All Carolina Professional Moving & Packing

Years in Business: 28
3434 Edwards Mill Rd STE 112, Raleigh, NC 27612 USMoving made easy is the message from customer input about Sawyer All Carolina Professional Moving & Packing. Out of 160 experiences assessed, 97.5% were positive, highlighting professional and polite staff, careful handling, efficient and quick service, and clear communication as standout features. Movers consistently handled belongings with caution and respect, kept clients updated, and ensured tasks were completed efficiently. Affordable rates and transparent pricing were common praise points. On the other hand, few dissatisfied customers mentioned rudeness during phone inquiries, item damage, or problems with truck size leading to delivery issues, but these were rare. Neutral feedback cited slow response to damage claims and inconvenience when trucks were too small. Compared to typical movers, Sawyer stands out for reliability and professionalism, with minimal serious complaints. Most reviewers agreed the company's staff sets the standard for service and care.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
Alternative Business Names
- All Carolina Professional Moving and Packing
- Professional Relocation Moving Packing And Storage, LLC
Next Stop Movers

DOT #: 3619230
Years in Business: 3
5609 Departure Dr, Ste 201, Raleigh, NC 27616 USMoving made easyโcustomers praise Next Stop Movers for quick and careful service, friendly and professional staff, and a consistently hassle-free experience. Seven customer feedback entries analyzed, with 100% rated positively. Movers handle furniture attentively, offer efficient solutions, and communicate clearly. People appreciate affordable rates and flexibility, standing out compared to less responsive companies. No negative feedback was reported, and no recurring issues surfaced among the reviews.
Review Profiles
Services Offered
Move Distances
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
Available services
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3619230
- State license #: 1267633
Key factors that impact the cost of your Raleigh to Portland move
What to know before moving from Raleigh to Portland
Moving from Raleigh to Portland means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Raleigh than in Portland, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Raleigh compares to Portland so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Raleigh | Portland | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,670 | $1,991 |
Average home value | $431,795 | $542,001 |
Average income (per capita) | $2,572 | $64,171 |
Cost of living (single person) | $6,077 | $2,491 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,077 | $6,060 |
Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 7.25% | 5.5% |
State income tax | 4.5% | 5.8% |
- Rent prices in Portland are 19% higher than in Raleigh, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Raleigh.
Home prices in Portland are 25.5% higher than in Raleigh. - Income in Portland is 2,395.0% higher than in Raleigh, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
- The cost of living for a single person in Portland is 59.0% lower than in Raleigh. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family is the same in Portland and Raleigh.
- The unemployment rate in Portland is 20.93% higher than in Raleigh.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the cityโs sales taxes in Portland are 24.14% lower than in Raleigh.
- State income taxes in Portland are 28.89% higher than in Raleigh.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,229.72 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Raleigh.
How life is different in Raleigh vs. Portland
Portland | Raleigh | |
---|---|---|
Population | 68,408 | 467,665 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 4 |
Walkability score | 62 | 31 |
Bike friendliness score | 68 | 39 |
Crime Index | 32.16 | 38.87 |
Safety Index | 67.84 | 60.13 |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 85% less than Raleigh.
- Portland offers better access to buses and trains than Raleigh, based on public transportation ratings. Portland has a transit score of 6 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 Portland means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Raleigh. Portland is considered more walkable than Raleigh, with a score of 62 out of 100 versus 31 out of 100 in Raleigh. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Portland 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. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, while Raleigh is rated as 39 out of 100.
- Portland has a lower crime rate than Raleigh based on scores of 32.16 and Raleigh's 38.87, 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 Portland than in Raleigh, based on Portlandโs safety index of 67.84 versus 60.13 for Raleigh. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in Raleigh. Portland 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.
Other things to consider for your Raleigh vs. Portland move
- Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in Maine, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toPortland Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Portland
Now that youโve chosen "Forest City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Portland to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- East End
- West End
- West Bayside
- Oakdale
- Valley Street
Best neighborhoods for families
- East End
- Rosemont
- Valley Street
- Back Cove
- East Deering
Things to do in Portland
Now that you've made the move to Maine, itโs the perfect time to explore Portland. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Portland, such as the Portland Museum of Art, Victoria Mansion, 5th Maine Museum, The Wadsworth-Longfellow House, and Richard Boyd Art Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Eastern Promenade Trail, Back Cove Trail, Deering Oaks Park, and Quarry Run Dog Park โ 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 Maine Celtics (G League) and Maine Mariners (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Portland?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Raleigh to Portland are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Raleigh are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Raleigh to Portland?
With many people choosing to move from Raleigh to Portland in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Raleigh to Portland take?
Moving from Raleigh, NC to Portland, ME covers 816 miles and usually takes two to seven days. Need to move faster? Some Raleigh movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Portland.