$1,284 Movers From Lexington to Charleston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Lexington, KY to Charleston, SC averages from $459 to $5,855 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 Lexington 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 Lexington guide.

Moving from Lexington to Charleston resources

Moving 542 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

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

Lexington movers charge $70 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 $1,284 - $3,533 $728 - $1,684 $456 - $839
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,168 - $5,855 $1,301 - $2,519 $459 - $986
4+ bedrooms $3,880 - $8,423 $1,750 - $3,306 $589 - $1,188
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 542 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 Lexington 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington to Charleston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Lexington to Charleston will cost between $1,284 to $3,533. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,168 to $5,855, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Lexington to Charleston will cost from $3,880 to $8,423.

How much are moving container companies from Lexington to Charleston?

Moving containers from Lexington to Charleston will cost you $728 to $1,684 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,301 to $2,519. A larger home will cost $1,750 to $3,306.

How much is a moving truck from Lexington 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 $456 to $839. A larger move will cost $459 to $986, and a four-bedroom move from Lexington to Charleston costs from $589 to $1,188. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Lexington to Charleston moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington to Charleston

Cost of living: Lexington vs Charleston

Lexington Charleston
Average rent cost $1,302 $2,500
Average home value $287,076 $531,165
Average income (per capita) $61,526 $60,732
Cost of Living (single person) $865 $1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4) $3,047 $3,685
Unemployment rate 4.2% 4.0%
Sales Tax 6.0% 9.0%
State Income Tax 4.5% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 92% higher than in Lexington.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 85.0% higher than in Lexington.
  • Income in Charleston is 1.3% lower than in Lexington.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 22.0% higher than in Lexington.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 20.9% higher than in Lexington.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 4.76% lower than in Lexington.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 50.00% higher than in Lexington.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 55.56% higher than in Lexington.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $3,658.96 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Lexington.

How is life different in Lexington compared to Charleston?

Charleston Lexington
Population 150,277 322,570
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 4
Walkability score 40 90
Bike friendliness score 50 85
Crime Index 18.0 50.18
Safety Index 61.13 49.82
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 53% less than Lexington.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Lexington's lower score of 4.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Lexington with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Lexington's 90 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than Lexington with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Lexington's 85.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Lexington with a score of 18.0 compared to Lexington's 50.18. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.18%.
  • Charleston is considered to be safer than Lexington with a safety index of 61.13 vs Lexington's 49.82.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Lexington 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 Lexington movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.76 overall rating
789 Westland Drive, Lexington, KY, 40504
(859) 554-4616
Vincent Fister Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
2305 Palumbo Drive, Lexington, KY, 40509
(859) 266-2153

Visit our best long distance movers in Lexington 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 Lexington to Charleston

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

The best time to move from Lexington 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 Lexington to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from Lexington 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