Missouri to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 914 mile interstate move from Missouri to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe tornadoes vs milder climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Eastern Carolina BBQ), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial vs colonial revival, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Smoked brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Eastern Carolina BBQ & Pulled pork
- North Carolina housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in North Carolina is 29.78% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to North Carolina movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to North Carolina
- Severe tornadoes
- Far from coastlines
- Limited seafood options
- Higher crime rates
- Less diverse job market
- Milder climate
- Beach access
- Fresh seafood
- Safer cities
- Growing industries
- Higher home prices
- Higher taxes
- Hurricane risk
- Affordable housing
- Low cost of living
- Central location
Pros of moving from Missouri to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to severe tornadoes and hello to milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from far from coastlines and moving to North Carolina with beach access
- Swap the limited seafood options of Missouri for fresh seafood in North Carolina
- Get ready for safer cities in North Carolina
Cons of moving from Missouri to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Missouri to live with higher home prices in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher taxes
- Time to bid farewell to the central location and get used to hurricane risk in North Carolina
Missouri vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style pizza | Eastern Carolina BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked brisket | Pulled pork |
Most popular street food item | Toasted ravioli | Carolina-style hot dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower wings | Sweet potato black bean burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Missouri to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Eastern Carolina BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful smoked brisket and sumptuous toasted ravioli, North Carolina residents know they have tasty pulled pork and Carolina-style hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the cauliflower wings they've grown to love, they can get ready for the sweet potato black bean burger of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Porter's Fried Chicken, and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like 12 Bones Smokehouse, Biscuitville, and Lanier's Country Cooking.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and North Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Colonial | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to parks, modern amenities |
- The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to parks and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- North Carolina housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in North Carolina is 29.78% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and North Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Storms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 67Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 23Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 6 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Missouri to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Missouri.
- North Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and storms in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 1 degree colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and North Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.97% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.43% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Finance, Technology, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 4% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Missouri
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to moderate in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Missouri and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. North Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Local Politics | Dominance of rural and conservative politics | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas lean Republican |
Religion | Christianity predominant, Baptist and Methodist strong presence | Christianity dominant, with a significant Baptist presence |
- Missouri tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant, with a significant Baptist presence
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominant, with a strong presence of Baptist and Methodist
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to North Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Washington University in St. Louis Missouri State University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Concord Elementary School (St. Louis) Mason Ridge Elementary School (Town and Country) W. W. Keysor Elementary School (Kirkwood) | Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte) Brooks Global Studies (Greensboro) Morrisville Elementary (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) John Burroughs School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Carnage Middle School (Raleigh) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Clayton High School (Clayton) Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) John Burroughs School (Ladue) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Myers Park High School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 private high schools | John Burroughs School (Ladue) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) St. Louis University High School (St. Louis) | Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Ravenscroft School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) The Barstow School (Kansas City) | Cary Academy (Cary) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Ladue School District Kirkwood R-VII School District | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do Missouri to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 914 miles from Missouri to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,721 | 300 ft3 | $5.74 |
1 Bedroom | $2,558 | 450 ft3 | $5.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,227 | 750 ft3 | $5.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,144 | 1100 ft3 | $5.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,857 | 1600 ft3 | $5.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,874 | 1800 ft3 | $5.49 |
Top Missouri to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to North Carolina