North Carolina has a higher moving rate than almost anywhere in the country. The state’s annual moving demand is just shy of 1.5 million people, making it essential to know who the best North Carolina movers are. International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company (we love its packing service and professional movers). However, it’s not the only moving service in town. We’ve also got picks for local moves, cheap rates, and premium quality, whether you’re in Charlotte, Athens, or Raleigh.
Are you moving to Charlotte, NC?
You Move Me Charlotte has the best in-town moving services among the best Charlotte moving companies. The North Carolina movers offer top-notch packing services and convenient furniture moving assembly.
Compare North Carolina moving companies
Moving company | Move type | Move.org rating | Cost | Learn more |
| Full-service (long distance) | 
| $$$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Full-service (local) | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Moving container | 
| $$$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Truck rental | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices | |
| Hourly labor | 
| $$ | Check Prices Check Prices |
Best Movers in North Carolina
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
Pros
Transparent pricing
Local and long-distance moving
15% car shipping discount
15% senior discount
30 days of free storage 
Cons
Below-average customer reviews
Annoying pop-up ads First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
Pros
Services most U.S. cities
Excellent customer reviews
In-home and virtual quotes
30 days of free storage
Remote video storage Cons
Out-of-date website PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Pros
Low prices
Multiple container sizes
Lots of storage options
Positive customer reviews
46-state availability Cons
Confusing prices Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
Pros
Lowest moving prices
Local and long-distance rentals
Excellent customer reviews
Moving discounts
Reliable reservations Cons
No service in Alaska HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Pros
Professional contractors
Packing and loading services
4,750+ locations
50-state availability
Positive customer reviews Cons
High prices
Two-hour minimum Move.org's top pick
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers
They handle it all.
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
Containers
You load, they ship.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about moving in North Carolina
Population
North Carolina is one of the nation’s 10 most-populated states.1 The Tar Heel State has a population of approximately 10.6 million people. The dominant ethnic groups are Whites, Latinos, and African Americans, with the latter comprising roughly one-fifth of the population.2 The median age is 39,3 and there are about 2.5 people in each North Carolina household.2 Nearly 1.5 million people moved in North Carolina last year, with about 80% doing local moves.4
How much does long-distance car shipping cost?
The cost to ship a car over 1,000 miles is approximately $1,200. Prices vary, however, based on the size of your vehicle and the total mileage of your transport.
Employment
North Carolina’s median income is approximately $56,640. About 62% of the population participates in the labor force,2 and the state added around 176,000 payroll jobs last year.5 North Carolina’s biggest industries are food services, construction, and education. Non-medical occupations with the highest wages include coal products, software publishing, and financial investments, and the state’s highest-earning counties are Wake County, Union County, and Orange County.3
Cost of living
North Carolina has an average cost of living compared to the rest of the United States. For example, it ranks 22nd on a list of the most affordable states—roughly the middle of a 50-state spectrum. The state’s medical costs are well above the national average, while North Carolina utility bills and housing costs are relatively affordable.6 As a result, its homeownership rate is higher than the national average,3 and the median property value is approximately $182,000.2
Politics
North Carolina doesn’t easily fit into political stereotypes. The majority of the state identifies as Democratic,7 but Republicans tend to win political elections. For instance, Donald Trump proved victorious in the 2020 presidential election, and 11 of North Carolina’s 15 congressional representatives are Republican. Durham County is the state’s most partisan Democratic County, while Yadkin County and Graham County are home to North Carolina’s highest concentration of Republicans.3
Best movers North Carolina FAQ
What is the best moving company in North Carolina?
International Van Lines is the best moving company in North Carolina. Its pro movers offer packing services, transparent pricing, and relocation discounts.
When is the best time of year to move in North Carolina?
The best time to move in North Carolina is in the fall and winter when demand is lowest. That helps keep moving costs down and also makes it easier to book a reservation.
How can you get the most accurate quote from a North Carolina moving company?
You should request an in-home moving estimate to get the most accurate quotes from a North Carolina moving company. In-person quotes allow moving companies to guarantee your price from day one.
Which moving company has the best reviews?
JK Moving Services has some of the best reviews for a long-distance moving company. The company offers top-notch moving services such as climate-controlled storage and piano moving.
Who offers storage space in North Carolina?
Extra Space Storage is the best company with North Carolina storage space. It has a 4.8-star rating from Move.org and provides climate-controlled storage and packing supplies at low rates.
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Regular review. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Recommended resources
People also asked . . .
Best moving companies by city in North Carolina
Best moving companies by state
Sources
- United States Census Bureau, October 13, 2022, “U.S. and World Population Clock,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: North Carolina,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Deloitte, “Data USA: North Carolina,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- United States Census Bureau, December 15, 2020, “Census Bureau Releases 2020 CPS ASEC Geographic Mobility Data,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022, “North Carolina Employment Report,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
- Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation Among Adults in North Carolina,” Accessed October 13, 2022.
