Quick answer: A move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill costs $2,202–$11,153 and takes seven to 21 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 2,855-mile move yourself.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chapel Hill to Tacoma guide.
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Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Tacoma to Chapel Hill
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Tacoma to Chapel Hill isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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How we chose the best moving companies for your WA to NC move
The top local movers servicing Tacoma to Chapel Hill moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Tacoma that also handles long-distance moves to Chapel Hill. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in Tacoma who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill.
- Mountain Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All Ready Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 885643
Years in Business: 62
DOT #: 885643
Alternate Names: Mountain Trucking Co Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 1941425
Years in Business: 15
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 1809
Years in Business: 122
DOT #: 586615
Alternate Names: Olympic Moving & Storage, Olympic Moving & Storage II, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 2083124
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 110
DOT #: 2897746
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill?
Tacoma movers charge $133 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,995 - $7,686 | $1,775 - $4,560 | $2,032 - $3,866 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,669 - $11,153 | $3,338 - $6,718 | $2,202 - $4,420 |
4+ bedrooms | $10,667 - $17,281 | $4,434 - $9,533 | $2,729 - $5,873 |
Cost to hire movers from Washington to North Carolina
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Washington to North Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,995 and $7,686. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $5,669 to $11,153 for the trip from WA to NC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $10,667 and $17,281.
Cost of moving containers from Washington to North Carolina
When you're heading from Washington to North Carolina, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,775 and $4,560. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $3,338 and $6,718. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $4,434 to $9,533. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Washington easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Washington to North Carolina
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $2,032 to $3,866. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $2,202 to $4,420, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Washington to North Carolina costs around $2,729 to $5,873.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors that influence moving costs from Tacoma to Chapel Hill
What to know before moving from Tacoma to Chapel Hill
Moving from Tacoma to Chapel Hill means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Tacoma than in Chapel Hill, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Tacoma compares to Chapel Hill so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Tacoma | Chapel Hill | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,650 | $1,950 |
Average home value | $477,289 | $592,460 |
Average income (per capita) | $73,341 | $65,621 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,133 | $2,248 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,260 | $4,790 |
Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 3.2% |
Sales tax | 10.3% | 7.5% |
State income tax | 0.0% | 4.5% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Chapel Hill, since prices are typically 18% higher than in Tacoma.
- The home prices in Chapel Hill are 24.1% higher than in Tacoma, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income in Chapel Hill is 10.5% lower than in Tacoma, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Chapel Hill — including University of North Carolina, Performance Bicycle, and Investors Title — may pay more.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chapel Hill. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 45.6% lower than in Tacoma.
- A move to Chapel Hill 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 34.0% less than what it costs in Tacoma.
- The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 56.16% lower than in Tacoma.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Chapel Hill, since the city's sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 27.18% lower than in Tacoma.
- State income taxes in Chapel Hill are 4.50% higher than in Tacoma.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,631.74 in Chapel Hill to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tacoma.
How life is different in Tacoma vs. Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill | Tacoma | |
---|---|---|
Population | 63,764 | 223,968 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 6 |
Walkability score | 34 | 54 |
Bike friendliness score | 50 | 48 |
Crime Index | 26.42 | 55.55 |
Safety Index | 73.58 | 44.45 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Chapel Hill might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 72% less than Tacoma.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Chapel Hill will be about the same as it currently is in Tacoma. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Chapel Hill neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Tacoma. Based on its score of 34 out of 100, Chapel Hill isn't as walkable as Tacoma, which has a score of 54 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- Chapel Hill and Tacoma are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 50 and 48 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- Chapel Hill has a lower crime rate than Tacoma based on scores of 26.42 and Tacoma's 55.55, 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 Chapel Hill than in Tacoma, based on Chapel Hill's safety index of 73.58 versus 44.45 for Tacoma. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Chapel Hill isn't as good as it is in Tacoma, so you may want to take precautions if you suffer from conditions like allergies or asthma. Chapel Hill has an air quality rating of Moderate, and Tacoma is considered to be good. Cities with good to moderate air quality may have varying levels of minor potential for health risks for certain people. Beyond the moderate rating, those health risks increase in severity and the amount of residents affected.
Other things to consider for your Tacoma vs. Chapel Hill move
- Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
- 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a North Carolina moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill. 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, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen 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 Chapel Hill
With your sights set on Southern Part of Heaven, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chapel Hill.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Chapel Hill
- Franklin Street Area
- Carrboro
- Midtown Chapel Hill
- East 54
Best neighborhoods for families
- Winmore
- Southern Village
- Governor's Club
- Westfall
- Claremont/Claremont South
Things to do in Chapel Hill
After getting comfortable in your new North Carolina home, it's time to see what Chapel Hill is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Chapel Hill is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Kidzu Children's Museum, and FRANK Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, and Battle Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an UNC Tar Heels (Various sports) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Tacoma.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tacoma to Chapel Hill?
Because spring and fall moves from Tacoma to Chapel Hill 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 Tacoma to Chapel Hill take?
The 2,855-mile journey from Tacoma, WA to Chapel Hill, NC, typically takes seven to 21 days. Some movers in Tacoma offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Chapel Hill.