Factors influencing moving costs from Charlotte to Grand Rapidstoggle

The cost of Charlotte movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Charlotte to Grand Rapids can be as low as $1,324 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 7,519.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Charlotte, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $613 to $1,551. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Charlotte to Grand Rapids

Moving from Charlotte to Grand Rapids comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Grand Rapids is generally more expensive than Charlotte, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Charlotte Grand Rapids
Average rent cost $1,790 $1,659
Average home value $391,658 $328,256
Average income (per capita) $64,814 $63,299
Cost of living (single person) $3,158 $5,333
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,325 $7,160
Unemployment rate 3.3% 4.3%
Sales tax 7.25% 6.0%
State income tax 4.5% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Grand Rapids are 7% lower than in Charlotte, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Grand Rapids.
    Home prices in Grand Rapids are 16.2% lower than in Charlotte.
  • Income in Grand Rapids is 2.3% lower than in Charlotte, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Grand Rapids include Meijer, Spectrum Health Hospitals, and Universal Forest Products.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Grand Rapids, since the cost of living for a single person in Grand Rapids is 68.9% higher than in Charlotte. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Grand Rapids is 14.0% lower than in Charlotte.
  • The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 30.30% higher than in Charlotte.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Grand Rapids, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Grand Rapids are 17.24% lower than in Charlotte.
  • One perk of moving to Grand Rapids is paying less in state income taxes, which are 5.56% lower than in Charlotte.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $5,066.18 in Grand Rapids to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charlotte.

How life is different in Charlotte vs. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Charlotte
Population 198,893 874,579
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 5
Walkability score 56 26
Bike friendliness score 52 31
Crime Index 44.23 46.52
Safety Index 55.77 53.48
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Grand Rapids's population is about 77% less than Charlotte.
  • Grand Rapids's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charlotte's lower score of 5.
  • Grand Rapids is more walkable than Charlotte with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Charlotte's 26 out of 100.
  • With a score of 52 out of 100, Grand Rapids 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.
  • Grand Rapids and Charlotte have a similar crime rate.
  • Grand Rapids and Charlotte are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Grand Rapids is good, and in Charlotte it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your Charlotte vs. Grand Rapids move

  • Weather: August, July and June are the most most advisable months to move in Grand Rapids, while January and December 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 regulationsโ€”some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
  • State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving company\โ€™s license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
  • Moving permits: You wonโ€™t need a moving permit in Michigan, though it\โ€™s 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 toGrand Rapids Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Where to live in Grand Rapids

Now that youโ€™ve chosen "GR" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Grand Rapids to check out.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Fulton Heights
  • South Hill
  • Heartside-Downtown
  • East Hills
  • Belknap Lookout

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Ottawa Hills
  • Eastown
  • North East Citizens Action
  • Millbrook
  • Belknap Lookout

Things to do in Grand Rapids

After settling into your new Michigan home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Grand Rapids has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Grand Rapids is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Gerald R. Ford Airport Viewing Park, Blandford Nature Center Richmond Park, and Riverside Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Charlotte to Grand Rapids?

The best time to move from Charlotte to Grand Rapids is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Charlotte.

When is the cheapest time to move from Charlotte to Grand Rapids?

Because most people are moving from Charlotte to Grand Rapids 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 Charlotte to Grand Rapids take?

The 744-mile move from Charlotte, NC, to Grand Rapids, MI, takes one to six days. Some Charlotte movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Grand Rapids.

Helpful moving resources