Best Movers Near Charleston, SC (2025 Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: We reviewed 52 movers across South Carolina, and Smooth Move Charleston takes the top spot for local moves in Charleston, SC. They impressed us with their fair prices, extensive service menu, and fantastic feedback from customers. Planning a move out of state from Charleston? Go with Safeway Moving. They’re known for dependable service and budget-friendly prices.
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Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best movers for those moving locally in Charleston, SC
If you’re moving within Charleston or heading to a nearby South Carolina town like James Island or Sullivan's Island, within 50 miles, these local movers should be on your radar. They excel at offering reliable service and low prices.
- Smooth Move Charleston: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Low Country Moving, LLC: 4.36 out of 5 stars
- Reads Moving Systems of Carolina, Inc.: 4.36 out of 5 stars
- Cougar Moving: 4.14 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 9823
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2357653
Alternate Names: Go Smooth Move, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 9792-B
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2362770
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
Company Info
State license #: 149-D
Years in Business: 47
DOT #: 2021301
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Pricing: $124/hr
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2868021
Services Offered
Top-rated movers in nearby cities
Best movers for those moving out of South Carolina
Getting ready for a move to a new state? You’ll want a moving company that’s federally licensed and meets all the requirements for interstate moves. For a smooth, stress-free relocation from Charleston, SC, take a look at these top-rated interstate moving companies.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.75 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
rating
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
Best moving containers in Charleston, SC
Moving containers give you a flexible, middle-ground option between hiring full-service movers and renting a truck. You handle the packing and unpacking yourself, but a professional driver takes care of transporting your stuff — something you won’t get with a rental truck.
Container pricing in Charleston depends on the number of containers you need and the distance of your move. To find the best deal, get quotes from several moving companies and compare both prices and services.
Kick off your search with these top-rated moving container companies:
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Best rental trucks for your Charleston, SC move
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state or locally in Charleston, a moving truck rental is your best option. On average, a truck rental in South Carolina costs a base rate of $19–$39 a day and a fee of $0.69–$0.99 per mile.
While you’ll certainly save money by renting a truck rather than hiring full-service movers or using a moving container, you will ultimately be responsible for every aspect of your move — including the driving.
We recommend these top truck rental companies for a full DIY move:
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Labor-only movers in Charleston, SC
If you’re renting a moving truck or container but need some muscle for the heavy work, bringing in a labor-only moving company is the way to go. They’ll take care of the loading and unloading for you, and you can also get help with packing, taking furniture apart and putting it back together, or even setting up electronics and gym gear.
Check out our favorite labor-only movers in Charleston:
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How we chose the best movers in Charleston
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 33 South Carolina movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How do I find a reputable Charleston mover?
When looking for the best movers in Charleston, make sure to watch for these important features:
- A good reputation: Whether you’re eyeing a reliable family-owned mover in Charleston or thinking about one of the leading national van lines in South Carolina, reputation matters. Keep an eye out for red flags and watch for common moving scams to ensure your move goes smoothly.
- Look into dispute resolution: Every moving company faces challenges at times, but what really matters is how they handle them. If you see a mover in Charleston repeatedly ignoring issues or dismissing complaints, it’s a clear sign to steer clear and find someone who values your concerns.
- Ensure experience aligns with your move: Just because a moving company has rave local reviews in Charleston doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for a long-distance move. Make sure you go with a mover that’s proven they can handle the specific type of relocation you need.
- Get multiple estimates: You can count on Charleston movers for free estimates—so why not use them? Be sure to get quotes from several companies to compare prices and snag the best deal for your move.
Every Charleston moving company featured here has been carefully selected by the moveBuddha team for their top-notch service and dependability.
Looking to move anywhere in the state? Take a look at our picks for the top moving companies in South Carolina.
Average cost of movers in Charleston, South Carolina
Check out the table below for estimated local moving rates in and around Charleston. Want a deeper dive into moving expenses? Head over to our full guide on moving costs in South Carolina.
These are only average price ranges — what you actually pay can vary a lot based on the details of your move. For a more accurate estimate, use our moving cost calculator.
You can also check out our moving cost calculator for more accurate moving cost estimate.
Local moving costs in Charleston
If you’re moving within 50 miles of Charleston, it’s considered a local move. Renting a truck will typically cost you a base fee of $19 to $39, plus an extra $0.69 to $0.99 per mile.
Looking for moving help? In Charleston, you can hire professional movers for as little as $134 an hour.
| Home Size | Avg. Total Cost | Cost/hour | # of Movers | # Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $483 | $188 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $671 | $188 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,084 | $263 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,503 | $368 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,871 | $368 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ Bedroom | $4,415 | $515 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
Interstate moving costs out of Charleston
The cost to move from Charleston to a different state is determined by how much you’re moving and how far away the new state is from South Carolina. Here are a few examples:
- Charleston to New York Movers: $591 to $5,167
- Charleston to California Movers: $1,619 to $6,842
- Charleston to Illinois Movers: $633 to $5,800
- Charleston to Texas Movers: $909 to $6,246
Don’t see your new home state? Check out these popular moving routes.
Factors that affect the cost of your move
- Distance: How much you’ll spend to move in Charleston mostly comes down to how far you’re going. Local moves within 50 miles of Charleston are typically much cheaper than hauling your stuff 450 miles across South Carolina.
- Move size: The more stuff you bring, the more you’ll pay—bigger loads mean bigger trucks and higher prices. If you’re moving out of Charleston on a long-distance or interstate adventure, movers will usually base your price on the weight and size of your shipment. Looking to save some money? Check out our tips on decluttering and downsizing to reduce your load and cut your costs.
- Moving method: Full-service movers are usually the priciest option, while renting a truck will save you the most money. Just make sure to consider what you actually need — cutting costs isn’t worth it if you end up without the help and support your move requires.
- Additional services: No matter which type of move you go with, be prepared for additional charges if you need things like packing services, heavy lifting assistance, or comprehensive insurance.
- The time of the year: Moving from May to September — peak moving season — often means paying more and dealing with limited options. If possible, try to move between October and April for better prices and availability.
FAQs
Will I need a parking permit for local moves in Charleston?
Resident property owners may renew Residential Parking Permits and single-day Visitor Permit Booklets by mail. Applications should be mailed to the following for immediate processing and handling: Revenue Collections 180 Lockwood Boulevard Suite 234 To schedule your appointment with The Parking division, please click the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/22parkingappts
To learn about parking permits in Charleston, check out your local DOT website.
What are some ways to cut costs when hiring a Charleston moving company?
If you want to save on your Charleston move, try scheduling it outside the busiest season, which runs from May to September. Picking a weekday between October and April can give you the best rates. You can also cut costs by negotiating with your moving company and asking about any special discounts or deals you might qualify for.
Do moving companies in Charleston provide storage services?
Absolutely! Most movers in Charleston provide both short- and long-term storage solutions. Some companies have their own storage facilities, while others team up with third-party warehouses. Be sure to ask about a mover’s storage options and get a quote for any extra costs.
If your Charleston moving company doesn’t provide storage—or if you need extra services—contact at least three of the best self-storage companies to compare options. Be sure to check out self-storage prices before making your decision.
Read our guide to decide if you should use your mover's storage solutions.
Is there a list of all movers in South Carolina?
Discover all your moving options in South Carolina by browsing our full directory of South Carolina moving companies.
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