$1,150 Movers From Philadelphia to Charleston

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC averages from $564 to $5,224 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia guide.

Moving from Philadelphia to Charleston resources

Moving 671 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

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

Philadelphia movers charge $130 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 $1,150 - $3,507 $719 - $1,719 $513 - $911
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,161 - $5,224 $1,403 - $2,633 $564 - $1,138
4+ bedrooms $3,874 - $7,561 $1,750 - $3,584 $670 - $1,391
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 671 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia to Charleston?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Charleston will cost between $1,150 to $3,507. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,161 to $5,224, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Philadelphia to Charleston will cost from $3,874 to $7,561.

How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Charleston?

Moving containers from Philadelphia to Charleston will cost you $719 to $1,719 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,403 to $2,633. A larger home will cost $1,750 to $3,584.

How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia 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 $513 to $911. A larger move will cost $564 to $1,138, and a four-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Charleston costs from $670 to $1,391. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Philadelphia to Charleston moving companies

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

Cost of living: Philadelphia vs Charleston

Philadelphia Charleston
Average rent cost $1,695 $2,500
Average home value $214,422 $531,165
Average income (per capita) $68,961 $60,732
Cost of Living (single person) $2,571 $1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,886 $3,685
Unemployment rate 10.6% 4.0%
Sales Tax 8.0% 9.0%
State Income Tax 3.07% 7.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 48% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 147.7% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • Income in Charleston is 11.9% lower than in Philadelphia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 59.0% lower than in Philadelphia.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 37.4% lower than in Philadelphia.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 62.26% lower than in Philadelphia.
  • Sales taxes in Charleston are 12.50% higher than in Philadelphia.
  • State income taxes in Charleston are 128.01% higher than in Philadelphia.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,231.04 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.

How is life different in Philadelphia compared to Charleston?

Charleston Philadelphia
Population 150,277 1,603,797
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 9
Walkability score 40 75
Bike friendliness score 50 67
Crime Index 18.0 34.66
Safety Index 61.13 34.1
Air Quality Good Good
  • Charleston's population is about 91% less than Philadelphia.
  • Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Philadelphia's lower score of 9.
  • Charleston is less walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 75 out of 100.
  • Charleston is less bike-friendly than Philadelphia with a score of 50 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 67.
  • Charleston's crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 18.0 compared to Philadelphia's 34.66. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 18.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66%.
  • Charleston is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 61.13 vs Philadelphia's 34.1.
  • Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Suburban Solutions Moving & Transport Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
2109 Bellemead Ave, Havertown, PA, 19083
(610) 601-3240
BR Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
1603 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19125
(215) 620-5796

Visit our best long distance movers in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Charleston

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

The best time to move from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Charleston?

Because most people are moving from Philadelphia 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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