$1,280 Movers From Ann Arbor to Charleston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Ann Arbor, MI to Charleston, SC averages from $612 to $6,384 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor guide.

Moving from Ann Arbor to Charleston resources

Moving 818 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Ann Arbor to Charleston?

Ann Arbor 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 $1,280 - $4,723 $759 - $1,958 $607 - $1,112
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,616 - $6,384 $1,423 - $2,831 $612 - $1,321
4+ bedrooms $4,154 - $8,195 $2,007 - $3,880 $750 - $1,539
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 818 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor to Charleston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Ann Arbor to Charleston will cost between $1,280 to $4,723. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,616 to $6,384, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Ann Arbor to Charleston will cost from $4,154 to $8,195.

How much are moving container companies from Ann Arbor to Charleston?

Moving containers from Ann Arbor to Charleston will cost you $759 to $1,958 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,423 to $2,831. A larger home will cost $2,007 to $3,880.

How much is a moving truck from Ann Arbor 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 $607 to $1,112. A larger move will cost $612 to $1,321, and a four-bedroom move from Ann Arbor to Charleston costs from $750 to $1,539. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Ann Arbor to Charleston moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor to Charleston

Cost of living: Ann Arbor vs Charleston

Ann Arbor Charleston
Average rent cost $2,260 $2,500
Average home value $474,909 $531,165
Average income (per capita) $66,964 $60,732
Cost of Living (single person) $2,176 $1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,344 $3,685
Unemployment rate 3.5% 4.0%
Sales Tax 6.0% 9.0%
State Income Tax 4.25% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 11% higher than in Ann Arbor.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 11.8% higher than in Ann Arbor.
  • Income in Charleston is 9.3% lower than in Ann Arbor.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 51.5% lower than in Ann Arbor.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 31.0% lower than in Ann Arbor.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 14.29% higher than in Ann Arbor.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 50.00% higher than in Ann Arbor.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 64.71% higher than in Ann Arbor.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,454.50 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Ann Arbor.

How is life different in Ann Arbor compared to Charleston?

Charleston Ann Arbor
Population 150,277 123,851
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 7
Walkability score 40 52
Bike friendliness score 50 71
Crime Index 18.0 31.0
Safety Index 61.13 79.18
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Charleston's population is about 21% greater than Ann Arbor.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Ann Arbor's lower score of 7.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Ann Arbor with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Ann Arbor's 52 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than Ann Arbor with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Ann Arbor's 71.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Ann Arbor with a score of 18.0 compared to Ann Arbor's 31.0. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Ann Arbor neighborhoods are safer than 31.0%.
  • Charleston is considered to be less safe than Ann Arbor with a score of 61.13 vs Ann Arbor's 79.18.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Ann Arbor it's moderate.

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 Ann Arbor movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Handle With Care Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
4260 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108
(734) 677-2000
Men on the Move Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.42 overall rating
6544 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103
(734) 913-9966

Visit our best long distance movers in Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor to Charleston

When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Charleston?

The best time to move from Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from Ann Arbor 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