Top San Jose, CA to Charleston, SC Movers

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

1. All Reasons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
2. Vector Moving and Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
3. Lunardi Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
4. Ninja Movers, Inc.: 4.66 out of 5 stars
5. Trek Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from California to South Carolina

Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from California to South Carolina typically costs between $1,700 and $6,878. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $5,104 and $9,785 when moving from CA to SC. If you're tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from California to South Carolina, you're looking at costs ranging from $8,870 up to $15,918.

Cost of moving containers from California to South Carolina

Moving from California to South Carolina? For a small load, you'll likely pay between $1,725 and $4,297. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $3,185 to $6,389. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $4,264 up to $9,149. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.

Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to South Carolina

Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you'll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.

Expect to pay between $1,991 and $3,747 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $2,095 to $4,199. If you're relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you'll likely spend anywhere from $2,466 to $5,637.

These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.

• Rent prices in Charleston are 19% lower than in San Jose, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Charleston are 61.5% lower than in San Jose.
• Income in Charleston is 25.3% lower than in San Jose, 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 44.3% higher than in San Jose. 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 5.6% less than what it costs in San Jose.
• The unemployment rate in Charleston is 39.39% lower than in San Jose.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Charleston, since the city's sales taxes in Charleston are 4.05% lower than in San Jose.
• One perk of moving to Charleston is paying less in state income taxes, which are 47.37% lower than in San Jose.

• Charleston might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 85% less than San Jose.
• Getting around Charleston without a car might be more difficult than in San Jose. Charleston has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas San Jose is ranked 7. Ratings are based on a city's transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Charleston neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as San Jose. Based on its score of 40 out of 100, Charleston isn't as walkable as San Jose, which has a score of 51 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Charleston, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than San Jose. While San Jose has a bike-friendliness score of 62 out of 100, Charleston earned a 50. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Charleston as San Jose. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Charleston is generally as safe as San Jose, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Charleston has better air quality than in San Jose. Charleston has Good air quality, compared to moderate in San Jose. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

• 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
• Change of address: 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.

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 settling into your new South Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Charleston has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

• 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.