Best California to North Carolina Movers + Moving Guide
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If you're moving from California to North Carolina and need first-hand information you can trust to make this 2,652 mile CA to NC move go smoothly, Great Guys Moving is here to help. We've analyzed 414 California to North Carolina moving companies and more than 15,000 movers nationwide to provide up-to-date and data-driven information about: which moving company to hire (our top recommendation is OCD Moving Services LLC), how much the move costs (approximately $2,500 - $10,000 depending on how much stuff you have), and what it will be like living in California compared to North Carolina. With a move this big, you want big data on your side and Great Guys Moving is your trusted ally to help you sift through the noise to make informed moving decisions.
Best California to North Carolina Moving Companies
| Rank | Company Name | Rating  | Affordability Index | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCD Moving Services LLC | 9.66 | 9.47 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 2 | Pure Moving | 9.64 | 9.49 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 3 | Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. | 9.63 | 9.59 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 4 | Best California Movers | 9.52 | 9.73 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 5 | Just Move It, LLC | 9.50 | 9.43 | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| 6 | Illuminated Moving & Packing | 9.47 | 9.5 | Authorized For Property, HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428Cost to Move from California to North Carolina
Moving a 1 bedroom apartment 2,652 miles from California to North Carolina will cost on average $4,036 to hire full service movers. A 3 bedroom CA to NC move is roughly $9,757. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by type of move and home size. Pricing will vary based upon the exact locations of pickup in California and dropoff in North Carolina as well as several other factors. The most important pricing component that is often overlooked is how far away the move date is. The earlier you can reserve California to North Carolina movers, the better your pricing and options will be.
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume of Packed Items (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,706 | 300 ft³ | 9.02 |
| 1 Bedroom | $4,036 | 450 ft³ | 8.97 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $6,690 | 750 ft³ | 8.92 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $9,757 | 1100 ft³ | 8.87 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $14,112 | 1600 ft³ | 8.82 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $15,786 | 1800 ft³ | 8.77 |
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from North Carolina to California guide.
Popular California to North Carolina Moving Destinations
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Compare the 6 Best CA to NC Movers
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
OCD Moving Services LLC
5914 Cobblestone Ct
El Sobrante, CA, 94803
About OCD Moving Services LLC
For over five years, OCD Moving Services LLC has been providing Oakland and the Bay Area with residential and commercial relocation...
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 2597230 / 911812 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 6 |
| Registered Drivers | 6 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 153,000 (2022) |
Pure Moving
1450 2nd St ste 225
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
About Pure Moving
Pure Moving has six locations across California, including an office in Los Angeles. This locally operated business moves over 10,000 clients...
Services
- Residential moving
- Commercial moving
- Long-distance moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3207734 / 1115049 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 1 |
| Registered Drivers | 1 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 100,000 (2022) |
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.
Chico, CA, 95973
About Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.
Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc. makes it a point to go above and beyond in every moving job. This includes giving...
Services
- Local & Long Distance Moving
- Residential Moving
- Commercial Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3421940 / 1416634 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 6 |
| Registered Drivers | 9 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 100,000 (2024) |
Best California Movers
Glendale, CA, 91206
About Best California Movers
Best California Movers is a family-owned moving company based in Southern California, with over six years of experience in the industry....
Services
- Cheap moving services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3489907 / 1173381 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 12 |
| Registered Drivers | 12 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 157,000 (2023) |
Just Move It, LLC
PO Box 13774
Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709
About Just Move It, LLC
Just Move It offers some of the best local and long-distance moving rates. But that’s not all that makes it great....
Services
- Local & Long-Distance Moving
- Packing Services
- Commercial & Office Moves
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3250986 / 1148366 Authorized For HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 10 |
| Registered Drivers | 10 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 180,000 (2023) |
Illuminated Moving & Packing
Hendersonville, NC, 28739
About Illuminated Moving & Packing
Illuminated Moving & Packing is a locally owned and operated moving company based in Asheville, NC, serving surrounding areas such as...
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 3605341 / 1226097 Authorized For Property, HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 1 |
| Registered Drivers | 1 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 1 (2021) |
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to North Carolina
Moving from one state to another is a significant life decision. This guide is crafted to help you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of relocating from California to North Carolina, offering an honest reflection of the California to North Carolina transition. The goal is to make this major move a bit easier by presenting a balanced view of both the pros and cons through comparative charts. Let’s dive into the specifics.
California- High living costs
- Heavy traffic
- State income tax
- Earthquake risks
North Carolina- Lower living costs
- Less congested roads
- Lower taxes
- Minimal natural disasters
North Carolina- Less diversity
- Slower pace
- Fewer tech opportunities
- Different landscapes
California- Diverse culture
- Vibrant cities
- Tech job hub
- Beautiful beaches
When considering a move from California to North Carolina, you're not just swapping one place for another; you're embracing a lifestyle change. North Carolina offers an array of benefits for a more comfortable and affordable living. Cities like Charlotte and Raleigh boast lower costs of living, all while providing vibrant cultural scenes and growing job markets. You may miss the bustling streets of Los Angeles or San Francisco’s iconic skyline, but North Carolina’s natural beauty, from the serene beaches of the Outer Banks to the majestic mountains of Asheville, offers its own set of breathtaking sights. Explore local favorites such as Biltmore Estate in Asheville or the historical charm of Old Salem in Winston-Salem. Whether it’s the tranquil neighborhood parks, diverse restaurants, or friendly communities, North Carolina is ready to welcome you with open arms.
California vs. North Carolina Food Guide
Food deeply enriches our understanding of local culture and the everyday lifestyle in different regions. As you plan your move, it’s essential to explore what culinary delights await. Thus, this is a comparison of the local cuisine between California & North Carolina , offering a snapshot of each state's unique flavors and dining scenes to help you feel more at home in your new locale.
| California | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Sushi | Pulled pork BBQ |
| Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip steak | Eastern Carolina BBQ |
| Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Hot Dogs |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | BBQ Jackfruit |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
When moving from California to North Carolina, you'll transition from the health-conscious, diverse, and innovative kitchens of the Golden State to the rich, comforting, and deeply traditional flavors of the Tar Heel State. In California, you might be used to the ease of finding vegan options or health-focused meals, with places like San Francisco's Mission District offering a plethora of trendy food trucks and Los Angeles being a hub for fusion foods. In contrast, North Carolina's culinary scene honors its Southern roots, especially with establishments like Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, where you can experience authentic Eastern Carolina barbecue. Though less prevalent than in California, North Carolina's cities like Asheville and Charlotte are swiftly growing their food truck scenes and vegan options, blending traditional tastes with new foodie trends.
Ready to start your move?
California vs. North Carolina Real Estate & Living Facts
When planning a move, understanding the real estate market is crucial, particularly comparing California and North Carolina. These insights can significantly impact your decision-making process, ensuring you find a home that suits both your lifestyle and budget.
| Comparison | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Colonial, Craftsman |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pools, Ocean View | Large Yards, Proximity to Nature |
In analyzing the housing markets of California and North Carolina, you'll find significant differences that could influence your decision. California's median home price is notably higher than that of North Carolina, reflecting the vast cost-of-living differences between these states. While California offers an urban lifestyle with modern and Spanish style homes often featuring pools and ocean views, North Carolina boasts a more relaxed pace with Colonial and Craftsman homes, highlighting large yards and proximity to natural landscapes. The walkability and bikeability scores suggest that California might be better suited for those who enjoy a slightly more active urban lifestyle. However, North Carolina's appeal lies in its serene settings and more affordable living standards.
California vs. North Carolina Weather Considerations
Moving between states? It's essential to gauge how the weather in California compares to North Carolina to adjust seamlessly. Understanding differences in temperature, sunlight, and other weather-related factors is key to a comfortable transition.
California
North Carolina
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
California
North Carolina
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
California
North Carolina
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
California
North Carolina
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
When relocating from California to North Carolina, you'll notice significant weather changes. North Carolina experiences higher humidity and more rainfall, which could affect outdoor activities and your overall comfort. While both states enjoy a generous amount of sunshine, North Carolina has fewer sunny days. Moreover, the risk of encountering hurricanes and tornadoes replaces the earthquake and wildfire threats prevalent in California. Seasonal allergies differ too, with North Carolinians more affected by mold due to higher humidity levels. Adapting to these changes involves not just a wardrobe adjustment but also preparing your home for different weather-related challenges.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from California to North Carolina
When you're contemplating a move from one place to another, it's crucial to understand how the costs you'll face on a daily basis will shift. This chart aims to illuminate the financial distinctions between California and North Carolina, covering key aspects such as income, taxes, and living costs, thus providing a clear picture of what to expect in terms of money and finance.
| Comparison | California | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $67,481 |
| Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 95.85 |
| State Income Tax | 1% - 13.3% | 5.25% |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.73% | 0.85% |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 8.56% | 6.98% |
| Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Finance, Technology, Manufacturing |
| Affluence | High | Moderate |
| Poverty | Visible | Less Visible |
| Homelessness | Significant | Lower |
Moving from California to North Carolina, you'll notice a significant reduction in the cost of living index, making daily expenses more manageable. While the average household income is lower in North Carolina, the lower state income tax rate and more favorable cost of living balance it out. Additionally, both states offer unique opportunities in leading industries, but North Carolina's prominence in finance and manufacturing provides a different economic landscape compared to California's tech and entertainment-driven economy. Understanding these differences will help you financially plan your move more effectively.
California vs. North Carolina Political & Religious Comparison
If you're considering a move from California to North Carolina, understanding the societal landscape can help you adjust seamlessly. This comparison of the politics between California & North Carolina offers a quick glimpse into the political and religious makeup of these two diverse states, providing a foundational understanding of your potential new home.
| California | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Conservative/Republican |
| Local Politics | Progressive policies | Moderate-to-Conservative policies |
| Religion | Less religiously diverse | More religiously diverse |
In both California and North Carolina, the political landscape significantly shapes local policies, community initiatives, and daily life. California's progressive stance on various issues, including environmental policies and human rights, contrasts with North Carolina's more moderate-to-conservative approach. This difference is key for you to consider as it affects community projects, local governance, and even daily conversations among neighbors. North Carolina's religious landscape is notably more diverse, which can influence local culture, events, and personal interactions in various communities. Adapting to these differences requires an understanding and respect for the local norms and values you'll encounter.
Education Guide When Moving from California to North Carolina
Moving across the country can dramatically change your life, especially when it comes to education for you or your family. To help you make an informed decision, we've compared schools and educational institutions in California and North Carolina. The purpose of this chart is to better understand the comparisons between school options in California and North Carolina.
| California | North Carolina |
|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) UCLA UC Berkeley USCUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | |
Top 3 Elementary Schools Orion Academy (Redwood City) William Faria Elementary (Cupertino) Millikin Elementary (Santa Clara)Endhaven Elementary (Charlotte) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Sterling Montessori Academy (Morrisville) | |
Top 3 Middle Schools William Hopkins Junior High (Fremont) Canyon Middle School (Castro Valley) Redwood Middle School (Saratoga)Community House Middle School (Charlotte) Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) | |
Top 3 High Schools Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto) California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Lynbrook High School (San Jose)The Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) | |
Top 3 private high schools Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Thacher School (Ojai) Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter)Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) | |
Top 3 private K-12 schools The Harker School (San Jose) Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Athenian School (Danville)Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) | |
Top 3 School Districts Palo Alto Unified School District San Ramon Valley Unified School District Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School DistrictChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Union County Public Schools Wake County Public School System | |
In comparing educational options between California and North Carolina, you'll notice distinct opportunities and offerings that reflect the unique landscapes of each state. California's schools, particularly in areas like Palo Alto and Cupertino, are renowned for their strong STEM programs, thanks in part to Silicon Valley's influence. In contrast, North Carolina boasts impressive higher education feeder schools like The Early College at Guilford, which prides itself on a rigorous curriculum geared towards preparing students for university-level studies, especially in liberal arts and sciences. Furthermore, both states offer prestigious private schools with historical standings such as The Thacher School in California and Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina, emphasizing a diverse educational culture from coast to coast.
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