($1,292) Cost of Moving From California to North Carolina

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to North Carolina ranges from $1,556 to $7,791 and takes seven–21 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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  • Certified crews
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  • Specialty packing services
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  • 80+ years' experience
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  • 1,800 trucks
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from North Carolina to California guide.

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The best California to North Carolina full-service movers

Moving from California to North Carolina? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your North Carolina relocation:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
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(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

The best California to North Carolina moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in North Carolina.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

The best California to North Carolina moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to North Carolina, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Online pricing
  • Several discounts
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4 / 5
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
  • Unlimited mileage
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
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  • Greatest coverage
  • 7 truck sizes
  • One way rentals

The best California to North Carolina labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to North Carolina:

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  • Hire moving labor
  • Online quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
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  • Online booking
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How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to NC movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from California to North Carolina?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to North Carolina for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,292 - $5,350 $1,455 - $3,347 $1,527 - $2,785
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,762 - $7,791 $2,411 - $4,872 $1,556 - $3,523
4+ bedrooms $7,002 - $12,068 $3,289 - $6,915 $1,946 - $4,068

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,659 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Cost to hire movers from California to North Carolinatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to North Carolina will cost between $1,292 and $5,350. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NC will range from $3,762 to $7,791, and a large move from California to North Carolina will cost from $7,002 to $12,068.

Cost of moving containers from California to North Carolinatoggle

Moving containers from California to North Carolina will cost you $1,455 to $3,347 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,411 to $4,872. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,289 to $6,915. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to North Carolinatoggle

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 $1,527 to $2,785. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,556 to $3,523, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to North Carolina costs from $1,946 to $4,068.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NC

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to North Carolina will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from CA to NC

If you’re moving to North Carolina from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: California vs. North Carolina

California North Carolina
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,093
Average home cost $771,057 $328,715
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $66,186
Cost of Living Index 134 96
Unemployment rate 5.4% 3.7%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 6.98%
State Income Tax 13.3% 4.5%
  • Rent is about 41% less expensive in North Carolina than in California.
  • Home prices are about 57% lower in North Carolina than in California.
  • The average income is about 28% lower in North Carolina than in California.
  • Cost of living is 28% lower in North Carolina than in California.
  • North Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 31%.
  • Sales taxes are 20% lower in North Carolina than in California.
  • Income taxes are 66% lower in North Carolina than in California.

How life is different in North Carolina vs. California

North Carolina California
Population 10,835,491 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 88ºF 87ºF
Winter low 29ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 48" 22"
Annual snow 4" 7"
Crime index 24.69 28.43
  • The population of North Carolina is approximately 72% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, North Carolina voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in North Carolina is 88ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, North Carolina reaches the temperature of 29ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in North Carolina versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In North Carolina, it snows about 4 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
  • North Carolina has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 24.69 vs. 28.43.

Comparing the pros of California vs. North Carolina

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in North Carolina compared to California.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in North Carolina
Ample economic opportunity Great communities
Pleasant weather Low cost of living
Abundant recreational options Ample economic opportunity
High quality of life High quality of life
Fresh and healthy foods Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. North Carolina

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for North Carolina.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in North Carolina
High cost of living Hurricanes
Heavy tax burdens Bland weather
Natural disasters High crime rate
Terrible traffic High tax burden
Strange laws Poor education

Other things to consider for your California to North Carolina movetoggle

  • Weather: North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in North Carolinatoggle

While you’re in North Carolina, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Biltmore Estate
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • USS North Carolina Battleship
  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
  • North Carolina Zoo
  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial
  • Chimney Rock State Park
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Discovery Place
  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • Linville Gorge and Falls
  • Carolina Beach State Park
  • North Carolina Aquariums
  • Outer Banks
  • William B. Umstead State Park
  • Pullen Park
  • Marbles Kids Museum
  • Dead Broke Farm

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to North Carolina?toggle

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from California to North Carolina?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to North Carolina separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from California to North Carolina?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from California to North Carolina are the amazing upsides of living in North Carolina such as great communities and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in California or North Carolina?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in North Carolina than in California. Housing is much more affordable in North Carolina, with average rent about 41% less and home prices 57.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in North Carolina, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in North Carolina?toggle

You should make approximately $33,693 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in North Carolina. The cost of living in North Carolina is approximately $3,662 per month for an individual and $5,306 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in North Carolina you live For example, larger cities like Charlotte and Raleigh will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources