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
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- E.E. Ward Moving & Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons 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
- 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
- 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
Key factors that influence moving costs from Charlotte to Philadelphia
What to know before moving from Charlotte to Philadelphia
Moving from Charlotte to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charlotte compares to Philadelphia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Charlotte | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,790 | $1,695 |
| Average home value | $391,658 | $216,914 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,814 | $70,746 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,158 | $2,541 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,325 | $6,190 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 10.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.25% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 3.07% |
- Rent prices in Philadelphia are 5% 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 Philadelphia.
Home prices in Philadelphia are 44.6% lower than in Charlotte. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Philadelphia, where incomes are, on average, 9.2% higher than in Charlotte. Major employers in Philadelphia include Amtak, Comcast, and COFCO.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Philadelphia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 19.5% lower than in Charlotte.
- A move to Philadelphia 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 25.6% less than what it costs in Charlotte.
- The unemployment rate in Philadelphia is 221.21% higher than in Charlotte.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Philadelphia, since its sales taxes are 10.34% higher than what you are paying in Charlotte.
- One perk of moving to Philadelphia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 31.78% lower than in Charlotte.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,413.87 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charlotte.
How life is different in Charlotte vs. Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Charlotte | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,603,797 | 874,579 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 75 | 26 |
| Bike friendliness score | 67 | 31 |
| Crime Index | 66.09 | 46.52 |
| Safety Index | 33.91 | 53.48 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- The population of Philadelphia is about 83% greater than Charlotte, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Philadelphia offers better access to buses and trains than Charlotte, based on public transportation ratings. Philadelphia has a transit score of 9 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 Philadelphia means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charlotte. Philadelphia is considered more walkable than Charlotte, with a score of 75 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, Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia has a bike-friendliness score of 67 out of 100, while Charlotte is rated as 31 out of 100.
- The crime rate in Philadelphia is higher than in Charlotte, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 66.09 in Philadelphia, it is 46.52 in Charlotte. 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 Philadelphia. With a crime index of 33.91, Philadelphia ranks lower in overall safety than Charlotte, whose index is 53.48. 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 Philadelphia has better air quality than in Charlotte. Philadelphia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Charlotte. 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 Charlotte vs. Philadelphia move
- Weather: Philadelphia has hot and muggy summers and the fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is moderately cold. If you are planning a summer move make sure to check the weather to avoid overall humid and hot days,
- 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: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in Pennsylvania, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia 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. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Philadelphia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Philly, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Philadelphia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cedar Park
- Fishtown
- Manayunk
- Point Breeze
- Washington Square West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bella Vista
- Bustleton
- Chestnut Hill
- Fitler Square/Rittenhouse Square (City Center West)
- Foxchase
Things to do in Philadelphia
After getting comfortable in your new Pennsylvania home, it's time to see what Philadelphia is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Philadelphia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes, Museum of the American Revolution, and The Franklin Institute.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Wissahickon Valley Park, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Fairmount Park, and Love 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 Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), or Philadelphia Phillies (MLB) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charlotte to Philadelphia?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Charlotte to Philadelphia You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Charlotte.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charlotte to Philadelphia?
Because spring and fall moves from Charlotte to Philadelphia are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Charlotte to Philadelphia take?
The 541-mile journey from Charlotte, NC to Philadelphia, PA, typically takes one to six days. Some movers in Charlotte offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Philadelphia.
