$1,459 Movers From San Francisco to Charleston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from San Francisco, CA to Charleston, WV averages from $1,832 to $9,392 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 San Francisco 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, WV.

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

Moving from San Francisco to Charleston resources

Moving 2,560 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from San Francisco to Charleston?

San Francisco movers charge $150 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 $1,459 - $5,992 $1,613 - $3,705 $1,626 - $3,276
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,228 - $9,392 $2,644 - $5,847 $1,832 - $3,938
4+ bedrooms $8,278 - $13,709 $3,831 - $7,641 $2,360 - $4,549
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,560 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco to Charleston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Charleston will cost between $1,459 to $5,992. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $4,228 to $9,392, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from San Francisco to Charleston will cost from $8,278 to $13,709.

How much are moving container companies from San Francisco to Charleston?

Moving containers from San Francisco to Charleston will cost you $1,613 to $3,705 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,644 to $5,847. A larger home will cost $3,831 to $7,641.

How much is a moving truck from San Francisco 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 $1,626 to $3,276. A larger move will cost $1,832 to $3,938, and a four-bedroom move from San Francisco to Charleston costs from $2,360 to $4,549. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best San Francisco to Charleston moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Charleston

Cost of living: San Francisco vs Charleston

San Francisco Charleston
Average rent cost $3,220 $962
Average home value $1,234,246 $146,899
Average income (per capita) $126,187 $58,251
Cost of Living (single person) $3,840 $1,866
Cost of Living (family of 4) $8,998 $4,269
Unemployment rate 5.4% 6.2%
Sales Tax 8.63% 7.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 6.5%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 70% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 88.1% lower than in San Francisco.
  • Income in Charleston is 53.8% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 51.4% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 52.6% lower than in San Francisco.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 14.81% higher than in San Francisco.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 18.89% lower than in San Francisco.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 51.13% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,457.81 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How is life different in San Francisco compared to Charleston?

Charleston San Francisco
Population 48,018 808,437
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 2 10
Walkability score 33 99
Bike friendliness score 28 99
Crime Index 3.0 54.33
Safety Index 46.06 37.9
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Charleston's population is about 94% less than San Francisco.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 2 out of 10 versus San Francisco's lower score of 10.
  • Charleston is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 33 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than San Francisco with a score of 28 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 3.0 compared to San Francisco's 54.33. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 54.33%.
  • Charleston is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 46.06 vs San Francisco's 37.9.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Considerations for moving to Charleston

  • Weather: September, June and May are the most pleasant months in Charleston, while January and February are the least comfortable months..
  • 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: In the Mountaineer State, the state’s Public Service Commission oversees local and intrastate movers. The commission strives to support and promote the interests of both businesses and consumers, and those interested in hiring an in-state mover can browse the Commission’s Regulated Motor Carrier Database to verify that they’re reputable businesses in good standing. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a West Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: West Virginia 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 relocating in West Virginia, prioritize movers' insurance for comprehensive coverage. Many movers provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Elevate your protection by exploring Full Value Protection options with the moving company or considering tailored plans from third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your West Virginia state moving insurance, ensuring a secure and stress-free relocation experience.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local San Francisco movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
361 Swift Ave, South San Francisco, CA, 94080
(415) 544-7000
Good Green Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
1355 Market Street Suite 488, San Francisco, CA, 94103
(855) 613-4663

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

What to do in Charleston

These are some of the best things to do in your new West Virginia home.

  • State Capitol
  • West Virginia State Museum
  • Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
  • Capitol Street and Capitol Market
  • West Virginia Veterans Memorial
  • East End Historic District
  • Governor's Mansion
  • Kanawha State Forest
  • Avampato Discovery Museum

Get your sports on!

Charleston is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Charleston Golden Eagles (Mountain East)

FAQs about moving from San Francisco to Charleston

When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Charleston?

The best time to move from San Francisco to Charleston is during the transitional seasons of spring or fall, considering the summer highs of 86ºF and the winter lows of 24ºF in Charleston.

When is the cheapest time to move from San Francisco to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from San Francisco 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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