Moving from Charleston to Sacramento (Movers from $1,581)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from Charleston to Sacramento costs $2,120 to $9,658 and takes 7-21 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 2,790-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Charleston 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 Sacramento to Charleston guide.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

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

Charleston movers charge $134 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Sacramento

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 Sacramento can be as low as $1,581 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $13,708.
• 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 $2,016 to $4,715. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Charleston to Sacramento will cost between $1,581 to $6,797. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,626 to $9,658, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Charleston to Sacramento will cost from $9,138 to $13,815.

How much are moving container companies from Charleston to Sacramento?

Moving containers from Charleston to Sacramento will cost you $1,756 to $4,596 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,991 to $6,769. A larger home will cost $4,169 to $8,701.

How much is a moving truck from Charleston to Sacramento?

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 $2,016 to $3,834. A larger move will cost $2,120 to $4,387, and a four-bedroom move from Charleston to Sacramento costs from $2,759 to $5,656. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Charleston to Sacramento moving companies

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

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from Charleston to Sacramento

Cost of living: Charleston vs Sacramento

• Rent prices in Sacramento are 24% lower than in Charleston.
• Home prices in Sacramento are 12.1% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in Sacramento is 17.0% higher than in Charleston.
• The cost of living for a single person in Sacramento is 160.0% higher than in Charleston.
• The cost of living for a family in Sacramento is 67.7% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Sacramento is 92.50% higher than in Charleston.
• Sales taxes in Sacramento are 2.78% lower than in Charleston.
• State income taxes in Sacramento are 90.00% higher than in Charleston.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $7,800.00 in Sacramento to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How is life different in Charleston compared to Sacramento?

• Sacramento's population is about 249% greater than Charleston.
• Sacramento's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charleston's higher score of 3.
• Sacramento is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Charleston's 40 out of 100.
• Sacramento is more bike-friendly than Charleston with a score of 67 out of 100 vs Charleston's 50.
• Sacramento's crime rate is higher than Charleston with a score of 38.68 compared to Charleston's 18.0. This means that Sacramento neighborhoods are safer than 38.68% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0%.
• Sacramento is considered to be less safe than Charleston with a score of 49.77 vs Charleston's 61.13.
• Air quality in Sacramento is good, and in Charleston it's good.

Considerations for moving to Sacramento

• Weather: Sacramento has hot, dry summers and mild to cool winters with occasional rainfall. The wet season is generally October through April. The foggiest months are December and January. Tule fog can be extremely dense, lowering visibility to less than 100 feet and making driving conditions extremely hazardous. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rain and heavy fog..
• 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: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a California moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: California 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 Sacramento. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Charleston movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular All My Sons Moving & Storage	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	2532 Oscar Johnson Drive, Charleston, SC, 29405 (843) 202-4860
Smooth Move Charleston	Get A Quote	4.58 overall rating	4767 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29405 (843) 860-9717
Low Country Moving, LLC	Get A Quote	4.52 overall rating	1514 Mathis Ferry Rd #18, Mt Pleasant, SC, 29464 (843) 737-1279

Visit our best long distance movers in Charleston page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Sacramento

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Almond Capital of the World", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Sacramento.

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Downtown Sacramento
• East Sacramento
• Land Park
• Natomas Park
• North Oak Park

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Boulevard Park
• River Park
• Land Park
• Village 7
• East Sacramento
• Natomas Park

What to do in Sacramento

These are some of the best things to do in your new California home.

• Old Town Sac
• William Land Park
• California State Capitol Museum
• Discovery Park
• Discovery Museum
• Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
• Wineries/Strad Meadery
• UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
• Midtown
• California State Indian Museum
• Adventures on the River
• Crocker Art Museum
• American River Bike Trail (Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail)
• KennedyGold Mine
• McKinley Park Rose Garden
• California State Railroad Museum
• Sacramento Zoo
• First Friday Oak Park
• Roseville
• Fairytale Town
• Raging Waters Sacramento
• Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
• Sac State Arboretum
• Nimbus Fish Hatchery
• Sacramento Mural Tour

Get your sports on!

• Sacramento Kings (NBA)
• Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
• Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A West)

Helpful moving resources