($1,149) Moving From Illinois to North Carolina

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to North Carolina ranges from $618 to $5,183 and takes two-seven 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
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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 Illinois to North Carolina separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from North Carolina to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to North Carolina movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to North Carolina is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to North Carolina:

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
read our full review
(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
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • 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) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
The Professionals Moving Specialists Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3918 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618
(888) 225-7351
Mid-West Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
1255 Tonne Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
(847) 593-7201

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

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

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois 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 $1,149 - $4,078 $776 - $1,754 $528 - $1,059
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,103 - $5,183 $1,369 - $2,695 $618 - $1,271
4+ bedrooms $3,581 - $7,739 $1,782 - $3,482 $775 - $1,465

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 810 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.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to NC

There are many factors that influence Illinois moving costs. The cost to move from Illinois 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 Illinois 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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to North Carolina?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to North Carolina will cost between $1,149 and $4,078. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to NC will range from $2,103 to $5,183, and a large move from Illinois to North Carolina will cost from $3,581 to $7,739.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to North Carolina?

Moving containers from Illinois to North Carolina will cost you $776 to $1,754 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,369 to $2,695. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,782 to $3,482. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from Illinois 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 $528 to $1,059. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $618 to $1,271, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to North Carolina costs from $775 to $1,465.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to North Carolina a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. North Carolina

Illinois North Carolina
Average rent cost $1,179 $1,093
Average home cost $249,224 $328,715
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $66,186
Cost of Living Index 90 96
Unemployment rate 5.3% 3.7%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 6.98%
State Income Tax 4.95% 4.5%
  • Rent is about 7% less expensive in North Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 32% higher in North Carolina than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 16% lower in North Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 7% lower in North Carolina than in Illinois.
  • North Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 30%.
  • Sales taxes are 21% lower in North Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 9% lower in North Carolina than in Illinois.

How does life in North Carolina differ from Illinois?

North Carolina Illinois
Population 10,835,491 12,549,689
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Democratic 55-45
Summer high 88ºF 86ºF
Winter low 29ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 48" 40"
Annual snow 4" 22"
Crime index 24.69 19.7
  • The population of North Carolina is approximately 14% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, North Carolina voted Republican and Illinois voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in North Carolina is 88ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, North Carolina reaches the temperature of 29ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in North Carolina versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In North Carolina, it snows about four inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • North Carolina has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 24.69 vs 19.7.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. North Carolina

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus North Carolina side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in North Carolina
Home of Chicago Great communities
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
Bountiful recreational opportunities Ample economic opportunity
Delicious food High quality of life
World-class sports culture Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. North Carolina

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for North Carolina.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in North Carolina
Harsh winter weather Hurricanes
Bad traffic Bland weather
High crime rate High crime rate
Dull landscape High tax burden
Strict laws Poor education

What to know before your move to North Carolina

  • 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 Carolina

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 Illinois to North Carolina?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to North Carolina is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to North Carolina?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois 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 Illinois or North Carolina?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in North Carolina. Housing is much more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 8% less and home prices 24% lower than in North Carolina. However, taxes are lower in North Carolina, most notably income taxes, which are more than 9% less than those paid by Illinois residents.

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

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 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 Albemarle and Anderson Creek will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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