($1,096) Moving from Washington DC to Charleston
Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Charleston costs $464 to $5,000 and takes one-six 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 531-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Washington DC 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 Washington DC guide.
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The best Washington DC to Charleston moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Charleston.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC to Charleston?
Washington DC movers charge $85 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 | $1,096 - $2,984 | $645 - $1,668 | $430 - $744 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,006 - $5,000 | $1,202 - $2,280 | $464 - $975 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,808 - $7,943 | $1,634 - $3,057 | $539 - $1,064 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to Charleston
The cost of Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Charleston can be as low as $1,096 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,333.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, 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 $430 to $1,029. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to Charleston?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Washington DC to Charleston will cost between $1,096 to $2,984. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,006 to $5,000, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Washington DC to Charleston will cost from $3,808 to $7,943.
How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to Charleston?
Moving containers from Washington DC to Charleston will cost you $645 to $1,668 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,202 to $2,280. A larger home will cost $1,634 to $3,057.
How much is a moving truck from Washington DC 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 $430 to $744. A larger move will cost $464 to $975, and a four-bedroom move from Washington DC to Charleston costs from $539 to $1,064. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Washington DC to Charleston
Cost of living: Washington DC vs Charleston
| Washington DC | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,450 | $2,500 |
| Average home value | $609,175 | $531,165 |
| Average income (per capita) | $635,900 | $60,732 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $1,211 | $1,055 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $4,423 | $3,685 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 4.0% |
| Sales Tax | 6.0% | 9.0% |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in Charleston are 2% higher than in Washington DC.
- Home prices in Charleston are 12.8% lower than in Washington DC.
- Income in Charleston is 90.4% lower than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 12.9% lower than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 16.7% lower than in Washington DC.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 42.86% lower than in Washington DC.
- Sales taxes in Charleston are 50.00% higher than in Washington DC.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 21.74% higher than in Washington DC.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,613.54 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.
How is life different in Washington DC compared to Charleston?
| Charleston | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,277 | 689,545 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 40 | 77 |
| Bike friendliness score | 50 | 70 |
| Crime Index | 18.0 | 46.45 |
| Safety Index | 61.13 | 41.16 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Charleston's population is about 78% less than Washington DC.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Washington DC's lower score of 9.
- Charleston is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
- Charleston is less bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
- Charleston's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 18.0 compared to Washington DC's 46.45. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 46.45%.
- Charleston is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 61.13 vs Washington DC's 41.16.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Washington DC it's moderate.
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 Washington DC movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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4814 Frolich Ln, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 (703) 566-4391 |
| Gentle Giant Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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5782 2nd Street NE, Washington, MD, 20011 (202) 758-0213 |
| Bookstore Movers, LLC | Get A Quote |
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5200 46th Ave, Hyattsville, MD, 20781 (202) 570-4697 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Charleston?
The best time to move from Washington DC to Charleston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.
When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Charleston?
Because most people are moving from Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Charleston take?
The 531-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Charleston, SC, takes one-six days. Some Washington DC movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Charleston.
