Considerations when moving from Columbia to Charleston

Cost of living: Columbia vs. Charleston

Columbia Charleston
Average rent cost $1,447 $2,500
Average home value $220,612 $559,231
Average income (per capita) $64,683 $62,294
Cost of living (single person) $1,956 $5,300
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,274 $7,890
Unemployment rate 5.2% 4.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 73% higher than in Columbia.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 153.5% higher than in Columbia.
  • Income in Charleston is 3.7% lower than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 171.0% higher than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 84.6% higher than in Columbia.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 23.08% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,128.83 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Charleston

Charleston Columbia
Population 150,277 136,632
Political leaning Democratic 56-43
Summer high 89ยบF 94ยบF
Winter low 39ยบF 35ยบF
Annual rain 48" 46"
Annual snow 0" 1"
Crime index 44.97 3.0
  • The population of Charleston is approximately 10% greater than the population of Columbia.
  • In the last presidential election, Charleston voted Democratic and Columbia voted .
  • The average high in the summertime in Charleston is 89ยบF and in Columbia, itโ€™s 94ยบF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Charleston reaches the temperature of 39ยบF and Columbia gets down to 35ยบF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in Charleston vs 46 inches of rainfall in Columbia.
  • In Charleston, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in Columbia.
  • Charleston has a higher crime rate than Columbia with a crime index of 44.97 vs 3.0.

Things to do in Charleston

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Charleston has plenty to offer:

Museums in Charlestontoggle

  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • Nathaniel Russell House
  • Old Slave Mart Museum
  • The Charleston Museum
  • Gibbes Museum of Art
  • Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
  • Confederate Museum
  • The Best Friend Train Museum
  • Postal Museum
  • South Carolina Historical Society Museum

Parks in Charlestontoggle

  • Middleton Place
  • Battery & White Point Gardens
  • Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
  • Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park
  • Hampton Park
  • Washington Square Colonial Lake

Sports Teams in Charlestontoggle

  • Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League)

Universities in Charlestontoggle

  • Charleston School of Law
  • The Citadel College of Charleston
  • Medical University of South Carolina

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Columbia to Charleston?toggle

To ship furniture from Columbia to Charleston with a mover will cost between $628 and $2,619. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,272โ€“$3,798, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Columbia to Charleston will cost from $1,673โ€“$4,719.

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

Moving containers from Columbia to Charleston will cost you $586 to $1,303 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,116 to $2,026. A larger home will cost $1,431 to $2,278.

How much is a moving truck from Columbia to Charleston?toggle

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $146 to $215. A larger move will cost $145 to $246, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Columbia to Charleston costs from $171 to $289.

How far in advance should I book Columbia-to-Charleston movers?toggle

Ideally, you should book your move from Columbia to Charleston at least two months in advance. If youโ€™re moving during the busy summer months, itโ€™s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Columbia-to-Charleston movers, the better the chance youโ€™ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Charleston?toggle

The cheapest time of year to move to Charleston is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industryโ€™s peak season (Mayโ€“September), which means demand โ€” and therefore pricing โ€” will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.

Learn more about your move to Charleston

Not what you were looking for?

Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!

See All
Hide All