($1,487) Movers From Charleston, SC to Ontario, CA

What to know before moving from Charleston to Ontario

Moving from Charleston to Ontario means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charleston than in Ontario, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how Charleston compares to Ontario so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Ontario are 5% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Ontario are 19.5% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Ontario is 15.4% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Ontario include Prime Healthcare, Niagara Bottling, and Gold Star Foods.
• The cost of living for a single person in Ontario is 53.3% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Ontario is 26.6% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Ontario is 72.50% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Ontario, since the city’s sales taxes in Ontario are 2.78% lower than in Charleston.
• State income taxes in Ontario are 90.00% higher than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,399.81 in Ontario to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Ontario

• The population of Ontario is about 17% greater than Charleston, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Ontario offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Ontario has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 3 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Ontario means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Ontario is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 48 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Charleston. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Ontario, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Charleston. While Charleston has a bike-friendliness score of 50 out of 100, Ontario earned a 46. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Ontario is higher than in Charleston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 50.25 in Ontario, it is 44.97 in Charleston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Ontario. With a crime index of 49.75, Ontario ranks lower in overall safety than Charleston, whose index is Charleston's 55.03. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Ontario and Charleston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Ontario move

• Weather: Ontario with hot summers and mild winters.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While California doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Ontario without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Ontario

With your sights set on "", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Ontario.

Helpful moving resources