($1,404+) Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA Movers
Moving from Charleston, SC, to Long Beach, CA, runs anywhere from $1,404 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,916 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,493 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 7 to 18 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $2,287, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,916 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,868 - $6,183, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,404 - $3,773.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Charleston, SC, to Long Beach, CA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,580 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
Moving options from Charleston to Long Beach fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,580 - $6,840 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 34% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 57% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 2,493-mile route typically takes 7 to 18 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,493-mile route from Charleston to Long Beach, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,287 for a studio up to $10,916 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,868 - $6,183 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,404 - $3,773, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,633 - $5,050, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
For the 2,493-mile move from Charleston, South Carolina, to Long Beach, California, full-service movers cost between $2,287 and $10,916. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $396 - $2,640 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Charleston generally start around $311 plus $134 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Charleston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,287 - $5,646
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,580 - $6,840
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,794 - $10,916
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Charleston to Long Beach.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to California. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Charleston movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Long Beach, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing59% of local movers | $660 - $6,600 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Smooth Move Charleston | $264 - $1,584/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $396 - $3,168 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage7% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $1,320 - $3,960 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,300 - $13,200 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $989 - $1,878 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items29% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Low Country Moving, LLC | $1,320 - $3,300 |
| Piano | Any piano type34% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,056 - $4,620 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $396 - $1,980 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect4% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $858 - $2,640 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $396 - $19,800+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $396 - $4,620+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Charleston to Long Beach?
Movers licensed to operate in California are typically members of the California Moving & Storage Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Charleston, SC. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
Moving containers from Charleston, South Carolina, to Long Beach, California, cost between $1,868 and $6,183. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Charleston costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Charleston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,868 - $3,579
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,350 - $4,789
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,171 - $6,183
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Charleston, SC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $924, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $99 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $198 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Charleston, SC, and Long Beach, CA, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to California move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,868. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $2,350 - $4,789.
What are the best moving containers Charleston to Long Beach?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Charleston to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Charleston:
- Smooth Move Charleston (4.9/5), 13 years in business
- Low Country Moving, LLC (4.7/5), 14 years in business
- Cougar Moving (4.8/5), 15 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
Truck rentals from Charleston, South Carolina, to Long Beach, California, range from $1,404 - $3,773 for the 2,493-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $1,047 - $1,197
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
- Charleston daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Charleston to Long Beach based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,404 - $2,663
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,535 - $3,075
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,901 - $3,773
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,404 - $3,773 when pricing out a rental truck from Charleston to Long Beach. Fuel alone runs $1,047 - $1,197, and overnight lodging ($198/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $198 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $86 and $429 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $1,047 - $1,197 in fuel for the 2,493-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $924 in Charleston, South Carolina, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Charleston to Long Beach?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Charleston, South Carolina, to Long Beach, California. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,936 and $3,678.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Charleston to Long Beach:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,633 - $3,190
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,678
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,588 - $5,050
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $99 - $198 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Charleston, South Carolina, typically costs $924.
What are the best freight companies from Charleston to Long Beach?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Charleston to Long Beach. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Charleston, SC vs Long Beach, CA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Long Beach, side by side with Charleston on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 112 | 162 |
| Average rent | $2,500/mo | $2,075/mo |
| Median home value | $468,536 | $762,188 |
| Average income | $90,038/yr | $83,969/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.0% | Up to 13.3% |
| Walkability score | 40/100 | 73/100 |
| Safety index | 55.03/100 | 41.42/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Long Beach, CA to Charleston, SC guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to California over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 155 movers in our South Carolina network to compare for this 2,493-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 2,493-mile route from Charleston, SC, to Long Beach, CA, run $2,287 - $10,916 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,868 - $6,183, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,404 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,580, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include UTi Worldwide and Molina Healthcare.
FAQs: Moving from Charleston, SC, to Long Beach, CA
How much does it cost to move from Charleston, SC to Long Beach, CA?
Costs on this route range from around $1,404 to $10,916, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,287 and $10,916, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Charleston?
Local movers based in Charleston typically start around $311 as a base rate, plus $134/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Long Beach run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in California?
When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice.
What are the best neighborhoods in Long Beach?
For families, Bixby Village, Los Altos, and Wrigley Heights are worth a look in Long Beach. If you're moving solo or without kids, Belmont Shore, Recreation Park, and Carroll Park tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Charleston movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 34% of movers in Charleston handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.