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State-to-State Guide

Moving from California to North Carolina

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your California to North Carolina move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%
DESTINATION

Moving to North Carolina

Population10.4M
State Income Tax4.5%
Avg Home Price$340,000
Avg Rent$1,350/mo
Property Tax Rate0.84%

Why Are People Moving from California to North Carolina?

The migration corridor between California and North Carolina is a popular interstate move. California has been experiencing net outflow while North Carolina continues to attract new residents.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in North Carolina is significantly lower than California, which is a major draw for relocating families. The average home price in North Carolina is $445,000 less than California, allowing movers to significantly upgrade their housing.

Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in North Carolina average 40°F, compared to 55°F in California.

Jobs & Industry: North Carolina's key industries include Technology, Banking, Healthcare, which attract professionals from California's Technology and Entertainment sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

2750 mi
50h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-20 East
2901 mi
52.7h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-20 East
2621 mi
47.7h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-20 East
2700 mi
49.1h drive
San Diego, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-20 East
2855 mi
51.9h drive
San Diego, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-20 East
2572 mi
46.8h drive
San Diego, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-20 East
2955 mi
53.7h drive
San Jose, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-40 East
3096 mi
56.3h drive
San Jose, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-40 East
2825 mi
51.4h drive
San Jose, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-40 East
2986 mi
54.3h drive
San Francisco, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-40 East
3126 mi
56.8h drive
San Francisco, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-40 East
2857 mi
51.9h drive
San Francisco, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-40 East
2814 mi
51.2h drive
Fresno, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-40 East
2959 mi
53.8h drive
Fresno, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-40 East
2685 mi
48.8h drive
Fresno, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-40 East
2912 mi
52.9h drive
Sacramento, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-40 East
3050 mi
55.5h drive
Sacramento, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-40 East
2782 mi
50.6h drive
Sacramento, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-40 East
2781 mi
50.6h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-40 East
2929 mi
53.3h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-40 East
2652 mi
48.2h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-40 East
2730 mi
49.6h drive
Anaheim, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-20 East
2883 mi
52.4h drive
Anaheim, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-20 East
2602 mi
47.3h drive
Anaheim, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-20 East
2729 mi
49.6h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-20 East
2881 mi
52.4h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-20 East
2600 mi
47.3h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-20 East
2752 mi
50h drive
Long Beach, CA
Charlotte, NC
via I-20 East
2904 mi
52.8h drive
Long Beach, CA
Raleigh, NC
via I-20 East
2624 mi
47.7h drive
Long Beach, CA
Asheville, NC
via I-20 East

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Cities in North Carolina

Charlotte

Population875K
Median Home Price$360,000

Raleigh

Population468K
Median Home Price$380,000

Asheville

Population95K
Median Home Price$400,000

Other Major Cities

Durham
Greensboro

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 2817 miles between California and North Carolina:

Studio / 1 BR
$2,209
3–4 BR Home
$5,380

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

California → North Carolina Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a North Carolina driver's license within 60 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in North Carolina within 30 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to North Carolina after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

North Carolina vehicle inspection requirement: Required annually.

Things to Know About North Carolina

  • • Annual vehicle safety inspections and emissions tests required
  • • Property tax on vehicles is assessed annually
  • • Research Triangle is one of the top tech hubs in the US

What's Different: California vs North Carolina

Taxes

California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
North Carolina Income Tax:4.5%
California Property Tax:0.76%
North Carolina Property Tax:0.84%

Weather

California Summer Avg:85°F
North Carolina Summer Avg:88°F
California Winter Avg:55°F
North Carolina Winter Avg:40°F

Cost of Living

California COL Index:150
North Carolina COL Index:95
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
North Carolina Avg Home Price:$340,000
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo
North Carolina Avg Rent:$1,350/mo

Ready to make the move to North Carolina?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between California and North Carolina.