Movers

Montana to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 2,112 mile interstate move from Montana to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Bison steak vs Pulled pork BBQ), real estate & housing (rustic, mountain vs colonial, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled pork BBQ & Eastern-style BBQ pork
  • North Carolina housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in North Carolina is 22.91% more expensive than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to North Carolina will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Montana to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC

Montana to North Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to North Carolina

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Extreme winters
  • Limited nightlife
  • Rural isolation
  • Less diverse food
  • Higher elevation
ProsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Milder climate
  • Vibrant city life
  • Urban opportunities
  • Culinary variety
  • Lower elevation

North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Fewer mountains
  • Busier lifestyle
  • Higher risk areas
  • Denser population
  • Traffic congestion
Montana iconMontana
  • Natural beauty
  • Privacy
  • Low crime rate
  • Open spaces
  • Less traffic

Pros of moving from Montana to North Carolina

  • Say goodbye to extreme winters and hello to a milder climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited nightlife and moving to North Carolina with vibrant city life
  • Swap the rural isolation of Montana for urban opportunities in North Carolina
  • Get ready for culinary variety in North Carolina

Cons of moving from Montana to North Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Montana to live with fewer mountains in North Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of privacy and have to settle for the con of a busier lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to a low crime rate and get used to higher risk areas in North Carolina
  • Swap open spaces for a denser population

Montana vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemBison steakPulled pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishElk burgersEastern-style BBQ pork
Most popular street food itemHuckleberry pieCarolina-style hot dogs
Most popular vegan foodWild mushroom risottoBBQ jackfruit sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants
  • The Lark
  • Bison CafΓ©
  • Big Sky Grill
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • The Pit
  • Bida Manda
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Montana to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious Pulled pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burgers and sumptuous Huckleberry pie, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern-style BBQ pork and Carolina-style hot dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild mushroom risotto they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ jackfruit sandwich of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Montana eateries like The Lark, Bison CafΓ©, and Big Sky Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, The Pit, and Bida Manda.

When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Montana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Montana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and North Carolina

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleRustic, MountainColonial, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingMountain views, Large acreageClose to amenities, Energy efficiency
  • The Rustic and Mountain architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and large acreage, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • North Carolina has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 22.91% more expensive than in Montana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Montana and North Carolina

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, WildfiresHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 45Β°F88Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 10Β°F50Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15"50"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)55"5"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 13% more sunshine days than Montana.
  • North Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and wildfires in Montana, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in North Carolina.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 8 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 35 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and North Carolina

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$67,631$67,481
Cost of Living Index99.495.85
State Income Tax6.9%5.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.75%
Avg. Sales Tax0%4.75%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Agriculture, TourismFinance, Technology, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyModerateNoticeable
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 0% less than in Montana
  • The COLI in North Carolina will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in North Carolina is varied compared to moderate in Montana
  • The poverty level is noticeable in North Carolina compared to moderate in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Montana and moderate in North Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. North Carolina

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLean conservativeMixed, with both conservative and liberal areas
Local PoliticsLocal governments often reflect state-level conservatismVaries significantly between urban (liberal) and rural (conservative) areas
ReligionChristianity is predominant, with a notable influence on local culture and politicsChristianity is predominant, diverse denominations with a significant evangelical presence
  • Montana tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both conservative and liberal areas
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with diverse denominations and a significant evangelical presence
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a notable influence on local culture and politics

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to North Carolina

ComparisonMontanaNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana
Montana State University
Carroll College
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBozeman Field School (Bozeman)
Hawthorne Elementary School (Missoula)
Lolo School (Lolo)
Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte)
Poe Magnet Elementary School (Raleigh)
Morehead Elementary School (Greensboro)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings)
Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill)
Piedmont IB Middle School (Charlotte)
Ligon Magnet Middle School (Raleigh)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Billings Senior High (Billings)
Early College at Guilford (Greensboro)
STEM Early College (Greensboro)
Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh)
Top 3 private high schoolsGreat Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)
Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte)
Durham Academy (Durham)
Cary Academy (Cary)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPetra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Foothills Montessori (Kalispell)
Cannon School (Concord)
Greensboro Day School (Greensboro)
Carolina Friends School (Durham)
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

How Much Do Montana to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 2,112 miles from Montana to North Carolina will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,400300 ft3$8.00
1 Bedroom$3,577450 ft3$7.95
2 Bedrooms$5,925750 ft3$7.90
3 Bedrooms$8,6341100 ft3$7.85
4 Bedrooms$12,4791600 ft3$7.80
5+ Bedrooms$13,9491800 ft3$7.75

Top Montana to North Carolina Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for Montana to North Carolina

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10