Best Moving Companies in North Carolina 2025

How much you pay for your move depends on whether you move yourself or hire movers, the move distance, how much you’re moving and any additional services (like packing or storage) you choose.

Local movers typically charge by the hour, with a team of two movers costing $80 to $100 per hour as of publishing. Long-distance movers typically charge a flat fee, which may range anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000. Packing and unpacking services will cost you more. Tipping movers is optional but customary (10% to 20% of the total cost).

Estimates for moving services from Charlotte (28202)

The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.

There are ways to ease the stress of a move and simplify the process — it just takes some planning.

1. Get an idea of the scope of the move

Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require. Evaluate your time frame, the number of items you need moved and your budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs.

» SMART MOVE: How to make a moving budget

2. Declutter in advance

Reduce the weight and volume of your belongings to save on moving costs. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need. Your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup, including for larger furniture items.

3. Start packing early

Begin packing items from less frequently used areas or seasonal items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.

» MORE: How to pack for a move

4. Make sure your essentials are easily accessible

Pack a box or bag for each person in your household containing essentials for moving day and the following day. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.

5. Know how to contact your mover

Have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day.

» MORE DETAILS: Moving checklist

ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.

To choose the top moving companies in North Carolina, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in North Carolina. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

• Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
• Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
• Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
• Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
• App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.

Best cities to move to in North Carolina

With its healthy economy and good quality of life, North Carolina attracted the largest net migration of movers in 2024. According to the state demographer, since 2020, net migration — the difference between the number of people moving to North Carolina and the number leaving —  has accounted for over 90% of the state’s growth. Eventually, more people living in North Carolina will have been born outside the state than in.

From Asheville to Wilmington and everywhere in between, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team analyzed the 40 largest cities in North Carolina across five categories — safety, affordability, economic strength, education and health care, and quality of life — to determine the best places to live in North Carolina in 2025.

The five best places to move to in North Carolina

North Carolina’s reputation as the “Goldilocks State” for its geographical, climate, economic and political balance helps explain why people are moving there from out of state. Nearly half (47%) of the state’s population was born elsewhere, and it's on track to become the seventh-most populated in the early 2030s. Whether you plan on relocating for job opportunities, mountain views, stunning beaches or affordable taxes, read on to discover the top cities on our list.

1. Cary

Recently named the best city to move to in the South, Cary earned its No. 1 position through a combination of high affordability and an impressive economy. This Raleigh suburb grew by at least 100% each decade between 1970 and 2000, with growth continuing through 2024. In particular, the community experienced a large boom from 1990 to 2000, when its population grew 115%.

Today, it’s a vital part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, home to tech companies, research institutions and major employers in industries like health care, biotech and finance. Believe it or not, over 70% of residents hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

• Housing affordability: Median housing costs in Cary consume only 16% of the median income on average, the lowest rate in North Carolina and nearly 17% lower than the state average.
• Great economy: The fifth-lowest unemployment rate (3.4%) and ninth-highest home value appreciation between 2023 and 2024 (5.2%) helped earn Cary the fourth-highest economy ranking.
• Safe communities: Cary’s violent crime rate is the fourth lowest of North Carolina’s largest cities (1.1 crimes per 1,000 people) and nearly 73% lower than the state average.

2. Cornelius

Cornelius ranks as the second-best place to move to in North Carolina, drawing residents in through a combination of health care access, safe neighborhoods and a strong economy. It’s located on Lake Norman about 20 miles north of Charlotte and has approximately 70 miles of lakefront property. Still, the average resident spends 7.3% less of their annual income on housing than others across the state.

• Accessible health care: With over 36 health care practitioners per 1,000 people, Cornelius has the third-highest density of health care professionals in the state.
• Great safety: The city offers the second-lowest property crime rate, at 8.6 crimes per 1,000 people (58.5% lower than the state average) and a violent crime rate of 1.4 crimes per 1,000 people (63.7% lower than the state average).
• Good economy: Only 4.4% of the population is below the poverty level, which is two-thirds lower than the state figure of 13.2%.

3. Apex

Apex — just south of Research Triangle Park and next to Cary — has come far from its humble origins as a tobacco and lumber trading hub. Today, it’s one of the safest and most economically prosperous cities on our list, ranking among the top five in both categories.

• Low crime: Apex offers the second-best safety in North Carolina, with violent crime being the lowest in the state, at 0.6 crimes per 1,000 people (85.9% lower than the state average) and property crime being the third-lowest, at 9.4 crimes per 1,000 people (54.6% lower than the state average).
• Lowest poverty rate: The share of the population below the poverty level is only 2.6% — 79.9% less than the state average and the lowest in North Carolina.
• Highly educated residents: Approximately 97.7% of residents have graduated from high school — the second-highest rate in North Carolina.

4. Huntersville

Since the Huntersville Cotton Mill put it on the map in 1873, this city, located just north of Charlotte, has consistently attracted new residents. As with Cornelius, proximity to Charlotte and access to amenities on Lake Norman are major draws. It scores higher in the economy category than any other city in our top five.

• Stable economy: Huntersville ranks among the top 10 for low poverty, low unemployment and home appreciation. The share of the population below the poverty level is 3.4% (73.8% lower than the state average), while homes increased in value by 5.2% between 2023 and 2024 — the eighth-highest rate.
• High educational attainment: About 97% of residents have graduated from high school — the third-highest rate in North Carolina.
• Minimal crime: The city’s violent crime rate is about 49% lower than the state average, at two crimes per 1,000 people, contributing to a 10th-place finish in overall safety.

5. Morrisville

Just a few miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport — the 35th-busiest airport in the U.S. — Morrisville is referred to as the “Heart of the Triangle” and offers countless economic opportunities for movers, complemented by excellent affordability and quality of life.

• Great park access: The community offers the fourth-best park access, with 51% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a green space.
• Low unemployment rate: Morrisville has the third-lowest unemployment rate on our list (3%) — 25% lower than the state average.
• Affordable housing: The median rent in Morrisville is $1,621 — the lowest among the top five cities and the 19th-most affordable in North Carolina.

See how the rest of North Carolina compares

The table below ranks the 40 largest cities in North Carolina across five key categories: safety, affordability, economy, education and health care, and quality of life. No matter what you prioritize, these cities offer diverse benefits for a variety of interests. Check out our chart below to discover which city best suits your needs.

Methodology: Best cities to move to in North Carolina

To identify the best cities to move to in North Carolina, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team evaluated the 40 most populous cities in the state across five weighted categories. In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores. We added the category scores together to get an overall score, which is out of 100 points.

• Safety (30 points): This score is based on rates of violent crime (15 points) and property crime (15) per 1,000 residents. Data is from NeighborhoodScout (2023).
• Affordability (30 points): This category includes median housing costs as a share of median income (15 points) and median rent for January 2025 (15). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023) and Zillow (2024).
• Economy (20 points): The economy score considers each city’s poverty rate (8 points), unemployment rate (5) and home appreciation from 2023 to 2024 (7). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023) and Zillow (2024).
• Health care and education (10 points): This category includes the number of health care professionals per 1,000 people (5 points) and the share of the population that has graduated high school (5). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
• Quality of life (10 points): The quality of life score considers the percentage of the population living within a 10-minute walk of a green space (5 points) and walkability, as calculated by Walk Score (5). Data is from NYU Langone Health (2024).

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

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