($1,401) Moving from Des Moines to Charleston
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: A move from Des Moines to Charleston costs $983 to $7,111 and takes 2-8 days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 1,201-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Des Moines will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Des Moines guide.
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The best Des Moines to Charleston moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Des Moines to Charleston is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Des Moines to Charleston.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
- JK Moving Services: 4.6 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
Des Moines movers charge $142 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,401 - $5,862 | $991 - $2,605 | $891 - $1,650 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,224 - $7,111 | $1,887 - $3,638 | $983 - $2,102 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,152 - $10,220 | $2,430 - $5,067 | $1,188 - $2,343 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Charleston
The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Charleston can be as low as $1,401 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $9,226.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $891 to $2,210. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Des Moines to Charleston?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Des Moines to Charleston will cost between $1,401 to $5,862. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $3,224 to $7,111, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Des Moines to Charleston will cost from $5,152 to $10,220.
How much are moving container companies from Des Moines to Charleston?
Moving containers from Des Moines to Charleston will cost you $991 to $2,605 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,887 to $3,638. A larger home will cost $2,430 to $5,067.
How much is a moving truck from Des Moines to Charleston?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $891 to $1,650. A larger move will cost $983 to $2,102, and a four-bedroom move from Des Moines to Charleston costs from $1,188 to $2,343. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Des Moines to Charleston
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Charleston
| Des Moines | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,150 | $2,500 |
| Average home value | $192,347 | $531,165 |
| Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $60,732 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,891 | $1,055 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $3,685 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 4.0% |
| Sales Tax | 7.0% | 9.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in Charleston are 117% higher than in Des Moines.
- Home prices in Charleston are 176.1% higher than in Des Moines.
- Income in Charleston is 3.8% higher than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 44.2% lower than in Des Moines.
- The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 15.9% lower than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 32.20% lower than in Des Moines.
- Sales taxes in Charleston are 28.57% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 59.09% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,673.72 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How is life different in Des Moines compared to Charleston?
| Charleston | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,277 | 699,292 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 40 | 45 |
| Bike friendliness score | 50 | 39 |
| Crime Index | 18.0 | 5.0 |
| Safety Index | 61.13 | 57.8 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Charleston's population is about 79% less than Des Moines.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's lower score of 5.
- Charleston is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- Charleston is more bike-friendly than Des Moines with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 39.
- Charleston's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 18.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Charleston is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 61.13 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Considerations for moving to Charleston
- Weather: Consider moving to Charleston around October, April and May as these are the most pleasant months, while July and August are the least comfortable ones due to thunderstorms which can cause delays in your moving plans.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Charleston. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Local Des Moines movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
 
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2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| All Mighty Movers LLC | Get A Quote |
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59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314 (515) 313-1395 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Des Moines page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Charleston
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Holy City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Charleston.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Harleston Village
- James Island
- North Charleston
- South of Broad West Ashley
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Mount Pleasant
- Park Circle
- Stiles Point
- Summerville
- Wagener Terrace
What to do in Charleston
These are some of the best things to do in your new South Carolina home.
- City Market
- Fort Sumter National Monument
- James Island
- Boone Hall
- Waterfront Park
- Dock Street Theater
- South Carolina Aquarium
- Magnolia Cemetery
- Rainbow Row
- Old Slave Mart
Get your sports on!
Charleston is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Charleston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Charleston?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Charleston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Charleston take?
The 1,201-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Charleston, SC, takes 2-8 days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Charleston.
