($1,105) Movers From Washington DC, MD to Charleston, WV
Quick answer: A move from Washington DC to Charleston costs $414–$5,129 and takes one to four 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 359-mile move yourself.

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Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Washington DC guide.
The best Washington DC to Charleston full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Washington DC to go to Charleston can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Washington DC to Charleston.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Washington DC to Charleston?
The best moving containers for your Washington DC to Charleston move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Washington DC to Charleston. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
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How much are moving container companies from Washington DC to Charleston?
The best moving truck rentals for your Washington DC to Charleston move
If you want to save even more money on your Washington DC to Charleston move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
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How much is a moving truck from Washington DC to Charleston?
The best labor-only movers for your Washington DC to Charleston move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Washington DC to Charleston:
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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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,105 - $3,438 | $727 - $1,739 | $377 - $724 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,925 - $5,129 | $1,330 - $2,489 | $414 - $817 |
4+ bedrooms | $2,963 - $7,596 | $1,658 - $3,044 | $518 - $1,037 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Washington DC to Charleston
What to know before moving from Washington DC to Charleston
Washington DC | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,400 | $875 |
Average home value | $594,337 | $153,672 |
Average income (per capita) | $101,722 | $59,354 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,424 | $1,549 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,184 | $3,862 |
Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 6.2% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 5.75% | 6.5% |
- Rent prices in Charleston are 64% lower than in Washington DC.
- Home prices in Charleston are 74.1% lower than in Washington DC.
- Income in Charleston is 41.7% lower than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 8.8% higher than in Washington DC.
- The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 25.5% lower than in Washington DC.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 11.43% lower than in Washington DC.
- Sales taxes in Charleston are 16.67% higher than in Washington DC.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 13.04% higher than in Washington DC.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,263.34 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Washington DC.
How life is different in Washington DC vs. Charleston
Charleston | Washington DC | |
---|---|---|
Population | 48,018 | 705,749 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 2 | 9 |
Walkability score | 33 | 77 |
Bike friendliness score | 28 | 70 |
Crime Index | 53.94 | 60.37 |
Safety Index | 46.06 | 39.63 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Charleston's population is about 93% less than Washington DC.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus Washington DC's lower score of 9.
- Charleston is less walkable than Washington DC with a score of 33 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
- Charleston is less bike-friendly than Washington DC with a score of 28 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 70.
- Charleston's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 53.94 compared to Washington DC's 60.37. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37%.
- Charleston is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 46.06 vs Washington DC's 39.63.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Washington DC it's good.
Other things to consider for your Washington DC vs. Charleston move
- Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Charleston, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
- 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: In the Mountaineer State, the state’s Public Service Commission oversees local and intrastate movers. The commission strives to support and promote the interests of both businesses and consumers, and those interested in hiring an in-state mover can browse the Commission’s Regulated Motor Carrier Database to verify that they’re reputable businesses in good standing. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a West Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: West Virginia 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 relocating in West Virginia, prioritize movers' insurance for comprehensive coverage. Many movers provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection by exploring Full Value Protection options with the moving company or considering tailored plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your West Virginia state moving insurance, ensuring a secure and stress-free relocation experience.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Charleston
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Charlie West", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Charleston.
Best neighborhoods for singles
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Charleston
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 359-mile move from Washington DC, MD, to Charleston, WV, takes one to four 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.