On average, local moves in Charlotte typically range from $323.00 for labor-only movers to $1,768.84 for full-service movers. Actual costs depend on the details of your move, such as the size of your home, the distance of your relocation, the time of year, and the services you need.
In a fast-growing metro like Charlotte, NC, moving costs can shift significantly based on demand and availability. In fact, Charlotte has become the #1 moving destination in all of North Carolina. It also ranks as the #18 top city for remote workers in the U.S., making flexible moves even more common. With more people relocating to the Queen City, demand for affordable moving services continues to rise.
If you’re planning on being one of the many moving to this city, this guide will break down what affects moving costs, what to expect when hiring movers in Charlotte, and how to find the best price movers in Charlotte, NC, for your next move.
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How Much Do Movers Cost in Charlotte?
The average cost of full-service movers in Charlotte is $1,768.84. If you’re only hiring labor-only movers (no truck included), the average price drops to $323.00. On an hourly basis, local moving labor costs about $77.80 per hour.
Unless otherwise noted, these numbers come from HireAHelper’s proprietary data, pulled from hundreds of completed moves right in Charlotte and millions of other moves completed through our platform. That means you’re getting real-world prices based on what customers actually paid to move.
That said, while this data is accurate, moving averages and estimates are just that. Your unique move and situation determine the final cost, but the information we give will give you an excellent starting point when you’re trying to figure out your budget for movers in Charlotte, NC.
Factors That Affect Moving Costs in Charlotte
No two moves are priced exactly the same. The size of your home, how much stuff you own, the distance you’re moving, and even the time of year can all affect the final price you’ll pay for professional movers.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest factors driving moving costs in Charlotte.
Size of Your Home
The larger your home, the more time, effort, and labor it takes to move it. This naturally results in a higher price tag. Bigger homes usually require more movers, more packing materials, a larger truck, and sometimes multiple trips.
Here’s how average costs break down in Charlotte by home size, based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper:
Charlotte Mover Prices by Home Size
| Home Size | Labor-Only | Local Full-Service |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | $407.80 | $1,066.95 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | $271.73 | $698.65 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | $389.02 | $871.93 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | $454.01 | $1,031.57 |
| 2 Bedroom House | $368.76 | $828.52 |
| 3 Bedroom House | $476.56 | $1,093.02 |
| 4 Bedroom House | $515.36 | $1,382.09 |
| 5 Bedroom House | $609.11 | $1,464.84 |
These average costs cover moves within Charlotte. If you’re heading beyond the city limits — like from Huntersville to Fort Mill — expect the cost to run higher. And if your house has a lot of stairs or tricky access points, you may be charged extra for the additional effort or skill required.
Your Amount of Belongings
More stuff means more work, which means more money. If your one-bedroom apartment is full of furniture, boxes, and hobby gear, you’ll likely pay more than someone in a sparsely furnished two-bedroom.
Use this general guide to estimate how many movers you’ll need for your relocation based on home size:
Average Number of Movers by Home Size in Charlotte
| Home Size | Average Number of Movers Needed |
|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | 2 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | 2 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | 2 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | 3 |
| 2 Bedroom House | 2 |
| 3 Bedroom House | 3 |
| 4 Bedroom House | 3–4 |
| 5 Bedroom House | 3–4 |
Make sure to book the right number of movers. Hiring too few may take longer and increase hourly charges, but if you hire too many, you might overpay. Fortunately, HireAHelper’s Charlotte page gives you upfront estimates based on job size. No guesswork required.
Distance of the Move
The farther you’re moving, the more you can expect to pay. While a short move across Charlotte neighborhoods (like from South End to Plaza Midwood) might be relatively affordable, longer hauls across the region quickly add fuel, mileage, and labor time to the bill.
Here’s some real-world data based on common Charlotte-area routes:
The Average Price for Movers in Charlotte by Move Distance
| Moving Route | Labor-Only Average Cost | Full-Service Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Within Charlotte, NC | $323.00 | $768.84 |
| Charlotte to Winston-Salem | $347.58 | $888.08 |
| Charlotte to Fort Mill | $333.11 | $798.65 |
| Charlotte to Wilmington | $331.73 | $1,066.94 |
| Charlotte to Raleigh | $311.14 | $1,022.22 |
| Charlotte to Durham | $314.23 | $992.41 |
| Charlotte to Greensboro | $345.97 | $908.94 |
Keep in mind that even short-distance moves to nearby suburbs like Concord or Rock Hill can increase your total if the movers have to navigate highways during peak traffic or cross county and state lines.
Timing and Seasonality
When you move can be just as important as where you move. Charlotte’s peak moving season runs from May through August, which aligns with school breaks, better weather, and higher demand across the board. In fact, according to HireAHelper’s internal database, 45% of all moves in the U.S. happen during these 4 months, so expect higher pricing and limited availability.
That said, Charlotte has specific patterns when it comes to timing:
- Cheapest day to move: Sunday
- Cheapest time of day: 7 am–8 am
- Cheapest month to move: June
As you can see, Charlotte bucks some of the general moving trends. Both a weekend and a summer month are the cheapest times to move in the city! But to save even more money, try to avoid long weekends, school breaks, or the beginning and end of the month when demand is highest. Planning around local demand times could easily shave hundreds of dollars off your total bill.
Services Requested
The level of service you request can drastically affect the price tag of your Charlotte move. On one end of the spectrum, you have labor-only movers, ideal for helping you load or unload a rented truck or container. At the other end, full-service movers handle the entire job: loading, transporting, and unloading once at your new home. More extensive services mean more labor hours, equipment, and materials, which adds a higher total cost.
If you hire movers in Charlotte to do the packing for you, expect to pay around $77.80 per hour, based on the local average. This may be worth it if you’re on a tight timeline or need help handling fragile items like dishes, art, or antiques.
Then there’s specialty item handling, which typically incurs extra fees. Movers may charge more if they need to transport large, delicate, or unusually shaped items like:
- Upright or grand pianos
- Gun safes
- Pool tables
- Antiques or artwork
- Large appliances
- Exercise equipment
These often require extra padding, equipment (like stair harnesses or furniture lifts), and sometimes even additional crew members.
“Since movers charge by the hour, fewer belongings mean less work and a smaller bill.Donate or sell items you don’t need before moving day to reduce your load and your final invoice.”
When comparing mover quotes in Charlotte, make sure you’re evaluating the actual scope of services included in each estimate. A low quote might not include packing, stairs, or the proper equipment. However, a higher quote might cover those bases and save you a lot of hassle later.
Additional Moving Expenses in Charlotte
Once you have a handle on labor-only or full-service pricing, don’t overlook the extra costs that can sneak into your Charlotte move. These additional fees can pile up fast, especially if your move involves professional packing, storage, or extended travel. Here’s what you need to know.
Packing Services and Supplies
Not everyone has the time, energy, or materials to pack an entire household. That’s where packing services come in. Hiring movers in Charlotte to pack for you typically adds around $77.80 per hour, according to the local average. The more belongings you have — or the more fragile they are — the longer the job will take.
If you’re doing your own packing, you’ll still need to budget for supplies. Expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $200+ on materials like:
Pro tip: Many Charlotte locals use Nextdoor or Facebook Marketplace to snag free or discounted packing supplies from recent movers in the area.
Storage Fees
When the timeline between moving out and moving in doesn’t line up perfectly, storage is a common add-on for Charlotte movers. Whether you’re downsizing, staging a home for sale, or waiting on a closing date, here’s what you can expect to pay for self-storage in the area:
Average Cost of Storage Units in Charlotte
| Storage Unit Size | Average Monthly Fee |
|---|---|
| 5’ × 5’ | $36.06 |
| 5’ × 10’ | $56.63 |
| 10’ × 10’ | $95.02 |
| 10’ × 30’ | $259.98 |
(Source: SelfStorage.com)
Keep in mind that climate-controlled units typically cost more, and they’re often necessary if you need storage during the humid North Carolina summers. Locations near uptown or busy suburbs like Huntersville, Ballantyne, or Matthews may also carry higher rates due to demand.
Travel Fees and Fuel Surcharges
Charlotte covers a large area, especially when you factor in the surrounding suburbs. This means you might pay more if movers have to travel across town or sit in traffic during peak hours. I-77, I-485, and Independence Boulevard (U.S. 74) are notoriously congested between 7–9 am and 4–6:30 pm, particularly near Uptown, South End, and University City.
“Make sure to book the right number of movers. Hiring too few may take longer and increase hourly charges, but if you hire too many, you might overpay.”
Most movers charge a flat travel fee to cover time and mileage to and from your location. Long carry distances or elevator waits can also increase labor time and overall cost.
Fuel surcharges fluctuate with gas prices. According to AAA, the average gas price in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill area is around $3.35 per gallon. When gas prices climb, full-service moves usually feel it more because of truck usage, though labor-only crews sometimes adjust rates, too to account for the travel to your home and back to their offices.
Tips to Save Money When Hiring Movers in Charlotte
Nobody wants to overspend on a move, especially when every dollar saved can go toward painting your new space or stocking the fridge. While moving costs in Charlotte can add up fast, you can utilize a few smart strategies to keep the price in check without sacrificing quality.
- Move mid-week: Fewer bookings mean lower demand, which often translates to better rates and more availability. Traditionally, midweek typically sees fewer moves, while movers tend to charge higher rates on weekends. However, in Charlotte, Sunday is actually the cheapest day to move.
- Schedule your move early in the morning: Movers typically offer lower rates for early slots. In Charlotte, the 7–8amwindow is the most cost-effective, and you’ll beat the afternoon heat and traffic.
- Book your move during off-peak months: While most people move between May and August and thus prices are typically higher, June is actually the cheapest month to move in Charlotte, based on our platform data. Planning your move during this month can help you snag better rates.
- Get multiple quotes: Pricing varies, even among reputable companies. Visit our Charlotte movers page to compare upfront pricing from local professionals before you book. You’ll get instant access to real customer reviews and transparent cost breakdowns.
- Choose well-rated, budget-friendly movers: All Around Movers are affordable and reliable, with numerous 5-star ratings. Smart Move, LLC, is known for speed and professionalism without a big price tag. And VIP Moving Services offers a great option for budget-conscious locals.
- Declutter before moving: Since movers charge by the hour, fewer belongings mean less work and a smaller bill. Donate or sell items you don’t need before moving day to reduce your load and your final invoice.
- Consider labor-only movers: If you’ve already rented a truck or trailer, you can save significantly by hiring labor-only help to load and unload. It’s a great hybrid option that gives you control without doing the heavy lifting.
How to Get Accurate Quotes from Charlotte Movers
Getting a realistic quote for your Charlotte move is about getting a price that reflects what your move will actually cost. That means the best way to avoid surprise charges is to give as much accurate detail as possible upfront. Before getting a quote, you should know the size of your home, the number of rooms, your move date, how many stairs are involved, and any special requests, like piano moving or packing help.
To make this easy, HireAHelper’s Charlotte movers page shows transparent pricing with no need to enter your personal information. You can compare real reviews, service offerings, and hourly rates at a glance.
HireAHelper also offers a Best Price Guarantee. That means if you find the same service on the same date for a lower price, they’ll match it. So, there’s no need to waste time cold-calling half a dozen companies.
To get the most accurate quote possible:
- Be transparent about what you’re moving: Provide an accurate inventory so your movers can give you a realistic estimate.
- Don’t forget to mention access challenges: Narrow hallways, stairs, or long walking distances all affect time and price.
- Include your preferred time and date: Quotes vary depending on whether you’re moving during peak or off-peak periods.
- Watch out for lowball offers: Extremely cheap quotes may leave out essential services, tack on hidden fees later, or worst of all, be hiding a scam.
FAQs About Moving Costs in Charlotte
What is considered a local move in Charlotte?
A local move typically refers to a relocation within a 50-mile radius of your current address and does not cross state lines. Moves within the Charlotte metro area, including to towns like Matthews or Huntersville, usually qualify as local.
What factors affect the cost of movers in Charlotte?
Factors such as the size of your home, the number of movers required, the distance between homes, the time of year, and the types of services you request (like packing or special item handling) all affect the cost of movers in Charlotte.
Is it cheaper to hire movers on weekdays in Charlotte?
Yes. Weekdays — especially early mornings —are generally less expensive than weekends. For example, Tuesday through Thursday mornings between 7-8 am tend to be the most affordable moving times. However, we have also found that Sundays in Charlotte are the least expensive.
Are moving companies in Charlotte required to be licensed?
Yes. Reputable Charlotte movers must be licensed by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) for in-state moves, and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for interstate moves. Always verify a mover’s credentials before hiring.