Best overall value
Local moving companies in Charlotte
- You Move Me: 4.96 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Misplaced or lost items
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
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
- Lack of communication
- Unfriendly or rude staff
- Overly complex pricing
Company Info
State license #: 2406
Years in Business: 43
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
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Company Info
State license #: 601
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: Bournias, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Poor packing quality
- Lack of communication
Company Info
State license #: 9784-A
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 2557751
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Efficient service
- Helpful movers
- Damage to items
- Misplaced or lost items
- Higher-than-expected costs
Company Info
State license #: 2774
Years in Business: 143
DOT #: 1222904
Alternate Names: E. E. Ward Moving & Storage Co., EE Ward Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Charlotte to Buffalo
What to know before moving from Charlotte to Buffalo
Moving from Charlotte to Buffalo means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charlotte than in Buffalo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charlotte compares to Buffalo so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Charlotte | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,790 | $1,200 |
| Average home value | $391,658 | $213,418 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,814 | $63,443 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,158 | $2,589 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,325 | $5,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 9.5% |
| Sales tax | 7.25% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Buffalo are 33% lower than in Charlotte, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
Home prices in Buffalo are 45.5% lower than in Charlotte. - Income in Buffalo is 2.1% lower than in Charlotte, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo — including UBS, Delaware North, and Human — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Buffalo. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 18.0% lower than in Charlotte.
- A move to Buffalo 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 31.3% less than what it costs in Charlotte.
- The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 187.88% higher than in Charlotte.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Buffalo, since its sales taxes are 20.69% higher than what you are paying in Charlotte.
- State income taxes in Buffalo are 142.22% higher than in Charlotte.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,459.47 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charlotte.
How life is different in Charlotte vs. Buffalo
| Buffalo | Charlotte | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,349 | 874,579 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 67 | 26 |
| Bike friendliness score | 63 | 31 |
| Crime Index | 8.0 | 46.52 |
| Safety Index | 53.55 | 53.48 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Buffalo might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Charlotte.
- Buffalo offers better access to buses and trains than Charlotte, based on public transportation ratings. Buffalo has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 5 in Charlotte. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Buffalo means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charlotte. Buffalo is considered more walkable than Charlotte, with a score of 67 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Charlotte. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Buffalo is considered more bike-friendly than Charlotte in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score of 63 out of 100, while Charlotte is rated as 31 out of 100.
- Buffalo has a lower crime rate than Charlotte based on scores of 8.0 and Charlotte's 46.52, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- Buffalo is generally as safe as Charlotte, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Buffalo and Charlotte is generally the same (Moderate). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Charlotte vs. Buffalo move
- Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a New York moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: New York doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Buffalo. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Buffalo
Ready to relocate to Queen City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Buffalo.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allentown
- Downtown
- Parkside
- West Side
- North Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Williamsville
- Eggertsville
- Harris Hill
- Kenmore
- Rapids
Things to do in Buffalo
After settling into your new New York home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Buffalo has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Buffalo features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park, Pierce-Arrow Museum, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Burchfield Penney Art Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, The Buffalo Zoo, Delaware Park, and Erie Basin Marina — 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 Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Beauts, Buffalo Bills (AAFC), or Buffalo Bisons (AHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charlotte to Buffalo?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charlotte to Buffalo. 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 Buffalo?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charlotte to Buffalo 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 Buffalo take?
Covering 657 miles, the move from Charlotte, NC to Buffalo, NY typically takes one to six days. Some Charlotte movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Buffalo can help bridge the gap.
