$1,331 Movers From Oakland to Charleston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Oakland, CA to Charleston, SC averages from $1,684 to $7,734 depending on how much you're moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Oakland moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a truck or moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Here's everything you need to know about your upcoming move to Charleston, SC.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Oakland guide.

Moving from Oakland to Charleston resources

Moving 2,764 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

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

Oakland movers charge $147 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 $1,331 - $5,958 $1,470 - $3,445 $1,555 - $2,922
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,217 - $7,734 $2,452 - $5,230 $1,684 - $3,809
4+ bedrooms $7,248 - $12,615 $3,704 - $7,130 $2,086 - $4,585
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,764 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Oakland to Charleston will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Oakland, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to letting the pros handle your move.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Oakland to Charleston will cost between $1,331 to $5,958. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,217 to $7,734, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Oakland to Charleston will cost from $7,248 to $12,615.

How much are moving container companies from Oakland to Charleston?

Moving containers from Oakland to Charleston will cost you $1,470 to $3,445 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,452 to $5,230. A larger home will cost $3,704 to $7,130.

How much is a moving truck from Oakland to Charleston?

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 $1,555 to $2,922. A larger move will cost $1,684 to $3,809, and a four-bedroom move from Oakland to Charleston costs from $2,086 to $4,585. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Oakland to Charleston moving companies

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

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you're just trying to ship a few items, here are our picks for the best small load moving companies.

Pros and cons of moving from Oakland to Charleston

Cost of living: Oakland vs Charleston

Oakland Charleston
Average rent cost $2,290 $2,500
Average home value $774,077 $531,165
Average income (per capita) $85,628 $60,732
Cost of Living (single person) $2,995 $1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,007 $3,685
Unemployment rate 7.7% 4.0%
Sales Tax 10.25% 9.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 9% higher than in Oakland.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 31.4% lower than in Oakland.
  • Income in Charleston is 29.1% lower than in Oakland.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 64.8% lower than in Oakland.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 54.0% lower than in Oakland.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 48.05% lower than in Oakland.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 12.20% lower than in Oakland.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 47.37% lower than in Oakland.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,056.76 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.

How is life different in Oakland compared to Charleston?

Charleston Oakland
Population 150,277 440,646
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 8
Walkability score 40 75
Bike friendliness score 50 65
Crime Index 18.0 68.7
Safety Index 61.13 31.3
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 66% less than Oakland.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Oakland's lower score of 8.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Oakland with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Oakland's 75 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than Oakland with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Oakland's 65.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Oakland with a score of 18.0 compared to Oakland's 68.7. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Oakland neighborhoods are safer than 68.7%.
  • Charleston is considered to be safer than Oakland with a safety index of 61.13 vs Oakland's 31.3.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Oakland it's good.

Considerations for moving to Charleston

  • 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: 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: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: South 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 Charleston. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Oakland movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
West Coast Moving Systems, Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
745 85th Ave, Oakland, CA, 94621
(510) 430-2667
Good Green Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
1355 Market Street Suite 488, San Francisco, CA, 94103
(855) 613-4663

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

Where to live in Charleston

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Holy City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to 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

What to do in Charleston

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

  • City Market
  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • James Island
  • Boone Hall
  • Waterfront Park
  • Dock Street Theater
  • South Carolina Aquarium
  • Magnolia Cemetery
  • Rainbow Row
  • Old Slave Mart

Get your sports on!

Charleston is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League)

FAQs about moving from Oakland to Charleston

When is the best time to move from Oakland to Charleston?

The best time to move from Oakland to Charleston is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 39ºF in Charleston.

When is the cheapest time to move from Oakland to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from Oakland to Charleston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the summer or winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

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Learn more about Charleston