Best overall value
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
- Excel Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Sawyer All Carolina Professional Moving & Packing: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Affordable rates
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Inexperienced movers
Review Analysis
Bellhop 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.
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
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Higher-than-expected costs
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Rave 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.
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
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Inexperienced movers
- Rushed job
Review Analysis
Athens 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.
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
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Misplaced or lost items
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Excel Moving & Storage stands out with a stellar reputation for professionalism, efficient moves, and careful handling of belongings. Of 283 customer experiences reviewed, 78% highlight attentive staff, timely communication, and a smooth moving process. Customers value the team's politeness, quick work, and the sense that their possessions are respected. When compared to typical industry input, Excel's high marks for effective communication and detail-oriented care put them ahead of many competitors. Despite the strong positive feedback, 18% report concerns, mainly regarding damaged or missing items and communication lapses after incidents. While most feedback applauds reliability, negative reviews reveal challenges with problem resolution, lost goods, and slow or absent responses when something goes wrong. Neutral feedback, just over 3%, notes good customer service but occasional delivery delays or minor damages. Excel earns frequent recommendations for large or complex moves, but customers should confirm policies on claims and coverage for valuable items. The company reliably delivers efficient, careful moves, though improvements in post-move communication could further strengthen their standing.
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
Sawyer All Carolina Professional Moving & Packing
3434 Edwards Mill Rd STE 112, Raleigh, NC 27612 US
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Quick moving process
- Good communication
Customer Complaints
- Unfriendly or rude staff
- Damage to items
- Delayed arrival or delivery
Review Analysis
Moving 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.
Company Info
Years in Business: 28
Alternate Names: All Carolina Professional Moving and Packing, Professional Relocation Moving Packing And Storage, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Raleigh to Buffalo
What to know before moving from Raleigh to Buffalo
Moving from Raleigh to Buffalo 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 Buffalo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Raleigh compares to Buffalo so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Raleigh | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,670 | $1,200 |
| Average home value | $431,795 | $213,418 |
| Average income (per capita) | $2,572 | $63,443 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $6,077 | $2,589 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,077 | $5,720 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 9.5% |
| Sales tax | 7.25% | 8.75% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 10.9% |
- Rent prices in Buffalo are 28% lower than in Raleigh, 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 50.6% lower than in Raleigh. - Income in Buffalo is 2,366.7% higher than in Raleigh, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo include UBS, Delaware North, and Human.
- The cost of living for a single person in Buffalo is 57.4% lower than in Raleigh. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Buffalo is 5.9% lower than in Raleigh.
- The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 120.93% higher than in Raleigh.
- You'll spend more on retail and restaurants in Buffalo, since the city's sales taxes in Buffalo are 20.69% higher than in Raleigh.
- State income taxes in Buffalo are 142.22% higher than in Raleigh.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,278.10 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Raleigh.
How life is different in Raleigh vs. Buffalo
| Buffalo | Raleigh | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,349 | 467,665 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 7 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 67 | 31 |
| Bike friendliness score | 63 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 8.0 | 38.87 |
| Safety Index | 53.55 | 60.13 |
| Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
- Buffalo's population is about 40% less than Raleigh.
- Buffalo's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Raleigh's lower score of 4.
- Buffalo is more walkable than Raleigh with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Raleigh's 31 out of 100.
- With a score of 63 out of 100, Buffalo is more bike-friendly than Raleigh, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Buffalo's crime rate is lower than Raleigh with a score of 8.0 compared to Raleigh's 38.87. This means that Buffalo neighborhoods are safer than 8.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Raleigh neighborhoods are safer than 38.87%.
- Buffalo is considered to be less safe than Raleigh with a score of 53.55 vs Raleigh's 60.13.
- Air quality in Buffalo is moderate, and in Raleigh it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Raleigh 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: 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: 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving company's license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You won't need a moving permit in New York, though it'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 toBuffalo Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Buffalo
Now that you've chosen "Queen City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Buffalo to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Allentown
- Delaware District
- Lower West Side
- North Park
- First Ward
Best neighborhoods for families
- Williamsville
- Eggertsville
- Kenmore
- Rapids
- Lancaster
Things to do in Buffalo
Now that you've made the move to New York, it's the perfect time to explore Buffalo. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Buffalo, such as 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 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 Buffalo Bandits, Buffalo Beautsโ, Buffalo Bills (AAFC)โ, or Buffalo Bisons (AHL)โ game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Buffalo?
The best time to move from Raleigh to Buffalo is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Raleigh.
When is the cheapest time to move from Raleigh to Buffalo?
Because most people are moving from Raleigh to Buffalo 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 Raleigh to Buffalo take?
The 652-mile move from Raleigh, NC, to Buffalo, NY, takes one to six days. Some Raleigh movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Buffalo.
