($592+) Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ Movers
Moving from Charleston, SC, to Jersey City, NJ, runs anywhere from $564 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,876 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 753 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,589, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,876 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,151 - $3,707, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $564 - $1,557.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Charleston, SC, to Jersey City, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,276 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
Moving options from Charleston to Jersey City fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,276 - $5,534 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 753-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 753-mile route from Charleston to Jersey City, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,589 - $4,052 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,151 - $2,073), rental truck ($564 - $1,018), or freight trailer ($1,046 - $1,776). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,276 - $5,534 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $7,876.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
For the 753-mile move from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jersey City, New Jersey, full-service movers cost between $1,589 and $7,876. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $370 - $2,464 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Charleston generally start around $311 plus $134 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Charleston to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,589 - $4,052
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,276 - $5,534
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,913 - $7,876
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Charleston to Jersey City.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market — 60% of Charleston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Jersey City, 93% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $616 - $6,160 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready60% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $246 - $1,478/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $370 - $2,957 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs90% of local movers | $1,232 - $3,696 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,080 - $12,320 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $923 - $1,753 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items40% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,232 - $3,080 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $986 - $4,312 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling20% of local movers | $370 - $1,848 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $801 - $2,464 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $370 - $18,480+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $370 - $4,312+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Charleston to Jersey City?
New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Jersey, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Charleston, SC. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
Moving containers from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jersey City, New Jersey, cost between $1,151 and $3,707. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Charleston runs about $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Charleston to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,151 - $2,073
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,350 - $2,680
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,000 - $3,707
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $862 in Charleston, SC. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $92 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $185 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Jersey City, NJ, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to New Jersey move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,151. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,350 - $2,680, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Charleston to Jersey City?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Charleston to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Charleston:
- Smooth Move Charleston (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Low Country Moving, LLC (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- Cougar Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
Plan on $564 - $1,557 for a rental moving truck on the 753-mile route from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jersey City, New Jersey. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $295 - $337
- Daily insurance: $37/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Charleston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Charleston to Jersey City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $564 - $1,018
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $638 - $1,247
- 4+ bedrooms: $724 - $1,557
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Charleston to Jersey City starts at $564 - $1,557, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($295 - $337) , overnight lodging ($185/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $185 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Charleston, South Carolina, usually costs about $862 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 753-mile drive falls between $295 and $337, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $62 and $370 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Charleston to Jersey City?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jersey City, New Jersey, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,091 and $2,121.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Charleston to Jersey City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,046 - $1,776
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,091 - $2,121
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,585 - $2,966
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $92 - $185 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Charleston, South Carolina, typically costs $862.
What are the best freight companies from Charleston to Jersey City?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Premier Logistics Solutions (4.62/5 stars): Premier Logistics Solutions is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Charleston to Jersey City, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Charleston, SC vs Jersey City, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Jersey City, side by side with Charleston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 140 |
| Average rent | $2,500/mo | $2,975/mo |
| Median home value | $468,536 | $538,163 |
| Average income | $90,038/yr | $94,813/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 8.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.0% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 40/100 | 87/100 |
| Safety index | 55.03/100 | 56.79/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Jersey City, NJ to Charleston, SC guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to New Jersey, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. South Carolina alone has 53 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 753-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Charleston, SC, to Jersey City, NJ, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,589 for a studio to $7,876 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 753-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,151 - $3,707. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $564 - $1,557, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,276 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Kuehne + Nagel International AG and Tokio Marine Management.
FAQs: Moving from Charleston, SC, to Jersey City, NJ
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($295 - $337), daily insurance ($37/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $185/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Charleston, SC to Jersey City, NJ?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
Is Jersey City a safe place to live?
Jersey City has a safety index of 56.79 out of 100 and a crime index of 43.21, compared to 55.03 and 44.97 in Charleston. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Charleston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 60% of movers in Charleston handle piano moves, and 40% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
