($870) Movers From Durham, NC to Charleston, SC

Quick answer: A move from Durham to Charleston costs $333–$4,598 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 304-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Durham to Charleston is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Durham guide.

The best Durham to Charleston full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Durham 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 Durham to Charleston.

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best for high-end moves
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(703) 972-1772
At A Glance
  • White-glove handling of fragile & high-end items
  • Guaranteed pickup & delivery
  • $250 deposit for interstate moves
  • Mobile app with 24/7 customer service
  • Financing available
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(703) 972-1772
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Durham to Charleston?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Durham to Charleston will cost between $870 to $2,800. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,523 to $4,598, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Durham to Charleston will cost from $2,212 to $6,003.

The best moving containers for your Durham to Charleston move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Durham 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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  • Unlimited storage
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  • 10% discount
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

How much are moving container companies from Durham to Charleston?toggle

Moving containers from Durham to Charleston will cost you $590 to $1,410 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,125 to $2,099. A larger home will cost $1,414 to $2,715.

The best moving truck rentals for your Durham to Charleston move

If you want to save even more money on your Durham 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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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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  • Greatest coverage
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How much is a moving truck from Durham to Charleston?toggle

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 $335 to $603. A larger move will cost $333 to $694, and a four-bedroom move from Durham to Charleston costs from $445 to $828. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Durham 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 Durham to Charleston:

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How much does it cost to move from Durham to Charleston?

Durham movers charge $122 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 $870 - $2,800 $590 - $1,410 $335 - $603
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,523 - $4,598 $1,125 - $2,099 $333 - $694
4+ bedrooms $2,212 - $6,003 $1,414 - $2,715 $445 - $828
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 304 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Factors influencing moving costs from Durham to Charlestontoggle

The cost of Durham 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 Durham to Charleston can be as low as $870 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $5,266.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Durham, 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 $335 to $756. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Durham to Charleston

Durham Charleston
Average rent cost $1,699 $2,500
Average home value $391,719 $559,231
Average income (per capita) $396,291 $62,294
Cost of living (single person) $928 $5,300
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,372 $7,890
Unemployment rate 4.1% 4.0%
Sales tax 7.5% 9.0%
State income tax 4.5% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 47% higher than in Durham.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 42.8% higher than in Durham.
  • Income in Charleston is 84.3% lower than in Durham.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 471.1% higher than in Durham.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 134.0% higher than in Durham.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 2.44% lower than in Durham.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 20.00% higher than in Durham.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 55.56% higher than in Durham.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $17,133.62 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Durham.

How life is different in Durham vs. Charleston

Charleston Durham
Population 150,277 283,506
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 4
Walkability score 40 30
Bike friendliness score 50 38
Crime Index 44.97 54.72
Safety Index 55.03 45.28
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 47% less than Durham.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Durham's lower score of 4.
  • Charleston is more walkable than Durham with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Durham's 30 out of 100.
  • Charleston is more bike-friendly than Durham with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Durham's 38.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Durham with a score of 44.97 compared to Durham's 54.72. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72%.
  • Charleston is considered to be safer than Durham with a safety index of 55.03 vs Durham's 45.28.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Durham it's good.

Other things to consider for your Durham vs. Charleston move

  • 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.

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 singlestoggle

  • Harleston Village
  • James Island
  • North Charleston
  • South of Broad West Ashley

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Mount Pleasant
  • Park Circle
  • Stiles Point
  • Summerville
  • Wagener Terrace

Things to do in Charlestontoggle

After settling into your new South Carolina home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Charleston has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Charleston is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Fort Sumter National Monument, Nathaniel Russell House, Old Slave Mart Museum, The Charleston Museum, and Gibbes Museum of Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Middleton Place, Battery & White Point Gardens, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Durham to Charleston?

The best time to move from Durham to Charleston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Durham.

When is the cheapest time to move from Durham to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from Durham 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 Durham to Charleston take?

The 304-mile move from Durham, NC, to Charleston, SC, takes one to four days. Some Durham movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Charleston.

Helpful moving resources