North Carolina to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 615 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs less humid summers), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Hoosier pie), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs craftsman, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern Carolina BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Hoosier pie & Pork tenderloin sandwich
- Indiana housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in North Carolina
- Rent in Indiana is 22.10% more affordable than in North Carolina
- Moving from North Carolina to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended North Carolina to Indiana movers is Just Move It, LLC
North Carolina to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Indiana
- High humidity
- Coastal storm risks
- Higher taxes
- More crowded beaches
- Less humid summers
- Fewer natural disasters
- Lower cost of living
- Open spaces
- Colder winters
- No coastline
- Fewer restaurant options
- Less diverse
- Mild winters
- Beautiful beaches
- Varied cuisine
- Vibrant culture
Pros of moving from North Carolina to Indiana
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to less humid summers
- Look forward to moving away from coastal storm risks and moving to Indiana with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the higher taxes of North Carolina for a lower cost of living in Indiana
- Get ready for open spaces in Indiana
Cons of moving from North Carolina to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in North Carolina to live with colder winters in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful beaches and have to settle for the con of no coastline
- Time to bid farewell to varied cuisine and get used to fewer restaurant options in Indiana
- Swap vibrant culture for less diversity
North Carolina vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pulled pork BBQ | Hoosier pie |
Most popular meat dish | Eastern Carolina BBQ | Pork tenderloin sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Boiled peanuts | Elephant ear |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit | Seitan steak |
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 North Carolina to Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Hoosier Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern Carolina BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Elephant Ear to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Steak of Indiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Carolina eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Buxton Hall Barbecue, and Merritt's Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like Bluebeard, St. Elmo Steak House, and Milktooth.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in North Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Indiana
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Craftsman, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, proximity to beaches | Energy efficiency, basements |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Ranch architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and proximity to beaches, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and basements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Indiana is more walkable than North Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Indiana is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
- Indiana has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
- Indiana housing costs are 28% less expensive than they are in North Carolina with a median home price of $236,990 compared to North Carolinaβs $329,225.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased 54% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
- Rent in Indiana is 22.10% more affordable than in North Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Indiana
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, occasional tornadoes | Tornadoes, winter storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88/66 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50/30 | 36/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 4 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from North Carolina to Indiana. Indiana gets 13% fewer sunshine days than North Carolina.
- Indiana has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to North Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and occasional tornadoes in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and winter storms in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is 3 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Indiana
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $67,481 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.85 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 5.25% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.77% | 0.87% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.98% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Agriculture, Financial Services | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Noticeable | Apparent |
Homelessness | Manageable | Visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 1% less than in North Carolina
- The COLI in Indiana will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in North Carolina
- The state income tax in IN is 3.23% compared to 5.25% in NC
- The affluence in Indiana is modest compared to moderate in North Carolina
- The poverty level is apparent in Indiana compared to noticeable in North Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in North Carolina and visible in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Indiana
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately mixed, leaning Republican | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Urban areas lean Democratic, rural areas are mostly Republican | Urban areas show varied political leanings, rural overwhelmingly Republican |
Religion | Strong Protestant influence, particularly Baptist and Methodist | Significant Protestant presence, notably Evangelical and Mainline Protestant |
- North Carolina tends to lean moderately mixed, leaning Republican in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as having a significant Protestant presence, notably Evangelical and Mainline Protestant
- North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a strong Protestant influence, particularly Baptist and Methodist
Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Indiana
Comparison | North Carolina | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University | Indiana University Bloomington Purdue University Ball State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte Quest Academy - Raleigh Sterling Montessori Academy - Morrisville | Signature School - Evansville West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette Brown County High School - Nashville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Phillips Middle School - Chapel Hill Smith Middle School - Chapel Hill Jay M Robinson Middle School - Charlotte | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette Signature School - Evansville Brown County Junior High School - Nashville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Raleigh Charter High School - Raleigh North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham Woods Charter - Chapel Hill | Signature School - Evansville Carmel High School - Carmel West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School - West Lafayette |
Top 3 private high schools | Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte Durham Academy - Durham Ravenscroft School - Raleigh | Culver Academies - Culver University High School of Indiana - Carmel Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School - Indianapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Cary Academy - Cary Durham Academy - Durham Providence Day School - Charlotte | Park Tudor School - Indianapolis Culver Academies - Culver The International School of Indiana - Indianapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Watauga County Schools Union County Public Schools | Carmel Clay Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation Zionsville Community Schools |
How Much Do North Carolina to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 615 miles from North Carolina to Indiana will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- 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 | $1,551 | 300 ft3 | $5.17 |
1 Bedroom | $2,304 | 450 ft3 | $5.12 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,803 | 750 ft3 | $5.07 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,523 | 1100 ft3 | $5.02 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,953 | 1600 ft3 | $4.97 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,857 | 1800 ft3 | $4.92 |
Top North Carolina to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Carolina to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Indiana