($1,179) Moving from Madison to Charleston

Quick answer: A move from Madison to Charleston costs $770 to $6,046 and takes two-eight 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 1,058-mile move yourself.

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  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Madison 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 Madison guide.

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The best Madison to Charleston moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Madison 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 Madison to Charleston.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
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  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Same-day estimates

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

Madison 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 $1,179 - $5,031 $832 - $2,012 $659 - $1,276
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,638 - $6,046 $1,537 - $2,917 $770 - $1,564
4+ bedrooms $4,108 - $8,559 $2,138 - $4,043 $940 - $1,847
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,058 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 Madison to Charleston

The cost of Madison 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 Madison to Charleston can be as low as $1,179 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,142.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Madison, 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 $659 to $1,708. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Madison to Charleston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Madison to Charleston will cost between $1,179 to $5,031. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,638 to $6,046, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Madison to Charleston will cost from $4,108 to $8,559.

How much are moving container companies from Madison to Charleston?

Moving containers from Madison to Charleston will cost you $832 to $2,012 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,537 to $2,917. A larger home will cost $2,138 to $4,043.

How much is a moving truck from Madison 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 $659 to $1,276. A larger move will cost $770 to $1,564, and a four-bedroom move from Madison to Charleston costs from $940 to $1,847. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

Pros and cons of moving from Madison to Charleston

Cost of living: Madison vs Charleston

Madison Charleston
Average rent cost $1,600 $2,500
Average home value $367,934 $531,165
Average income (per capita) $62,919 $60,732
Cost of Living (single person) $2,292 $1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,457 $3,685
Unemployment rate 3.3% 4.0%
Sales Tax 5.5% 9.0%
State Income Tax 7.65% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 56% higher than in Madison.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 44.4% higher than in Madison.
  • Income in Charleston is 3.5% lower than in Madison.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 54.0% lower than in Madison.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 32.5% lower than in Madison.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 21.21% higher than in Madison.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 63.64% higher than in Madison.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 8.50% lower than in Madison.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,380.89 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How is life different in Madison compared to Charleston?

Charleston Madison
Population 150,277 269,840
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 6
Walkability score 40 50
Bike friendliness score 50 66
Crime Index 18.0 34.57
Safety Index 61.13 65.43
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 44% less than Madison.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Madison's lower score of 6.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Madison with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than Madison with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Madison's 66.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Madison with a score of 18.0 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
  • Charleston is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 61.13 vs Madison's 65.43.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Madison 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 Madison movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
3817 Kipp Street, Madison, WI, 53718
(608) 340-1557
Top Notch Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.34 overall rating
905 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI, 53716
(608) 590-3710

Visit our best long distance movers in Madison 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 Madison to Charleston?

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

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

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

The 1,058-mile move from Madison, WI, to Charleston, SC, takes two-eight days. Some Madison 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