Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Chapel Hilltoggle

The cost of Charleston 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 Charleston to Chapel Hill can be as low as $1,120 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,499.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Charleston, 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 $361 to $884. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Charleston to Chapel Hill

Charleston Chapel Hill
Average rent cost $875 $1,950
Average home value $153,672 $592,460
Average income (per capita) $59,354 $65,621
Cost of living (single person) $1,549 $2,248
Cost of living (family of 4) $3,862 $4,790
Unemployment rate 6.2% 3.2%
Sales tax 7.0% 7.5%
State income tax 6.5% 4.5%
source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
  • Rent prices in Chapel Hill are 123% higher than in Charleston.
  • Home prices in Chapel Hill are 285.5% higher than in Charleston.
  • Income in Chapel Hill is 10.6% higher than in Charleston.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Chapel Hill is 45.1% higher than in Charleston.
  • The cost of living for a family in Chapel Hill is 24.0% higher than in Charleston.
  • The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 48.39% lower than in Charleston.
  • Sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 7.14% higher than in Charleston.
  • State income taxes in Chapel Hill are 30.77% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,353.78 in Chapel Hill to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Charleston
Population 63,764 48,018
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 6 2
Walkability score 34 33
Bike friendliness score 50 28
Crime Index 26.42 53.94
Safety Index 73.58 46.06
Air Quality Moderate Good
source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
  • Chapel Hill's population is about 33% greater than Charleston.
  • Chapel Hill's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charleston's higher score of 2.
  • Chapel Hill is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 34 out of 100 vs Charleston's 33 out of 100.
  • With a score of 50 out of 100, Chapel Hill is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 28 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Chapel Hill's crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 26.42 compared to Charleston's 53.94. This means that Chapel Hill neighborhoods are safer than 26.42% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
  • Chapel Hill is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 73.58 vs Charleston's 46.06.
  • Air quality in Chapel Hill is moderate, and in Charleston it's good.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Chapel Hill move

  • Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North 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 Chapel Hill. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Chapel Hill

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Southern Part of Heaven", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Chapel Hill.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Downtown Chapel Hill
  • Franklin Street Area
  • Carrboro
  • Midtown Chapel Hill
  • East 54

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Meadowmont
  • The Oaks
  • Winmore
  • The Preserve at Jordan Lake
  • Southern Village
  • Briar Chapel
  • Dunhill
  • Governor's Club
  • Westfall
  • Claremont/Claremont South

Things to do in Chapel Hilltoggle

After settling into your new North Carolina home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Chapel Hill has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Chapel Hill is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Kidzu Children's Museum, and FRANK Gallery.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, and Battle Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill?

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

When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill?

Because most people are moving from Charleston to Chapel Hill 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 Charleston to Chapel Hill take?

The 290-mile move from Charleston, WV, to Chapel Hill, NC, takes one to four days. Some Charleston movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Chapel Hill.

Helpful moving resources

Charleston moving services

Popular West Virginia routes

Popular moving resources