Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The cost to move from Los Angeles to Charleston ranges from $1,831 to $9,078 and the journey will take approximately seven to 18 days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 2,472-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Los Angeles guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Los Angeles to Charleston
Choosing a long-distance mover for your move from Los Angeles to Charleston can be tough. With so many options, it's hard to know which companies you can actually trust.
Skip the hassle of endless research — we've narrowed down the top choices for you. We picked these movers based on real reviews, competitive pricing, and the variety of services they offer.
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Safeway Moving
 Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran ownedBest overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned |
American Van Lines
Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-ownedCertified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned |
Allied Van Lines
Specialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experienceSpecialty packing services
White-glove reputation
80+ years' experience |
Mayzlin Relocation
Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricingFamily owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing |
North American Van Lines
1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans1,800 trucks
Storage available
Customized moving plans |
How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to SC move
Local moving companies servicing Los Angeles to Charleston moves
When planning a move from Los Angeles to Charleston, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Los Angeles who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Los Angeles to Charleston.
- Seka Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Rigo's Moving Company Inc: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Move Central Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Prodigy Moving & Storage, LLC: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0192497
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3014539
Alternate Names: Seka Moving Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 0191663
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3075110
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191020
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2365576
Alternate Names: Move Central Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 191106
Years in Business: 22
DOT #: 3983945
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Los Angeles to Charleston?
Los Angeles movers charge $100 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 | $1,532 - $6,837 | $1,565 - $3,973 | $1,777 - $3,506 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,604 - $9,078 | $3,042 - $6,320 | $1,831 - $3,777 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,393 - $15,082 | $3,947 - $8,340 | $2,336 - $4,729 |
Cost to hire movers from California to South Carolina
Planning a move from California to South Carolina? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,532 and $6,837. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $4,604 and $9,078 for the same journey (CA to SC). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $8,393 to $15,082.
Cost of moving containers from California to South Carolina
When you're heading from California to South Carolina, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,565 and $3,973. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $3,042 and $6,320. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $3,947 to $8,340. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from California easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to South Carolina
A moving rental truck is generally 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 $1,777 to $3,506. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,831 to $3,777, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to South Carolina costs around $2,336 to $4,729.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Los Angeles to Charleston
What to know before moving from Los Angeles to Charleston
Moving from Los Angeles to Charleston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Charleston is generally more expensive than Los Angeles, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Los Angeles | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,960 | $2,500 |
| Average home value | $2,368,088 | $559,231 |
| Average income (per capita) | $74,993 | $62,294 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $3,922 | $5,300 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $9,213 | $7,890 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 4.0% |
| Sales tax | 9.5% | 9.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in Charleston are 16% lower than in Los Angeles, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
Home prices in Charleston are 76.4% lower than in Los Angeles. - Income in Charleston is 16.9% lower than in Los Angeles, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Charleston — including Joint Base Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, and The Boeing Company — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Charleston, since the cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 35.1% higher than in Los Angeles. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- A move to Charleston can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 14.4% less than what it costs in Los Angeles.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 62.26% lower than in Los Angeles.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Charleston, since the city's sales taxes in Charleston are 5.26% lower than in Los Angeles.
- One perk of moving to Charleston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.37% lower than in Los Angeles.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,054.05 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Los Angeles.
How life is different in Los Angeles vs. Charleston
| Charleston | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,277 | 3,820,914 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 40 | 69 |
| Bike friendliness score | 50 | 59 |
| Crime Index | 44.97 | 53.81 |
| Safety Index | 55.03 | 46.19 |
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
- Charleston's population is about 96% less than Los Angeles.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Los Angeles's higher score of 8.
- Charleston is less walkable than Los Angeles with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Los Angeles's 69 out of 100.
- Charleston has a bike-friendliness score 50 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as Los Angeles, which has a score of 59 out of 100.
- Charleston's crime rate is lower than Los Angeles with a score of 44.97 compared to Los Angeles's 53.81. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Los Angeles neighborhoods are safer than 53.81%.
- Charleston is considered to be safer than Los Angeles with a safety index of 55.03 vs Los Angeles's 46.19.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Los Angeles it's moderate.
Other things to consider for your Los Angeles vs. Charleston move
- 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in South Carolina, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Charleston Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. 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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Charleston
With your sights set on Holy City, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider 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
Things to do in Charleston
After getting comfortable in your new South Carolina home, it's time to see what Charleston is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Charleston features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the Fort Sumter National Monument, Nathaniel Russell House, Old Slave Mart Museum, The Charleston Museum, and Gibbes Museum of Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Middleton Place, Battery & White Point Gardens, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Charleston?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Los Angeles to Charleston are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Los Angeles. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Los Angeles to Charleston?
Because most people are moving from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Charleston take?
Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Charleston, SC covers 2,472 miles and usually takes seven to 18 days Need to move faster? Some Los Angeles movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Charleston.
