Best overall value
Local moving companies in Charleston
- Bellhop Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Flex Moving & Storage: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Smooth Move Charleston: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Reads Moving Systems of Carolina, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Affordable rates
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Inexperienced movers
Review Analysis
Bellhop Moving earns high marks for efficiency and professionalism, with 62% of input reflecting strong satisfaction out of the 92 reviews analyzed. Customers highlight prompt, careful service from polite movers, quick moving processes, and competitive pricing. Many praise the care taken with belongings, friendly attitudes, and seamless booking. On the downside, over one-third of customer feedback cites frustration with damages to furniture or property, poor communication, and instances where movers lacked experience or preparation. A few reviewers also faced unresolved claims, delays, or insufficient compensation for damaged items. While Bellhop offers more budget-friendly rates and efficient service compared to many moving companies, the risk of damages and inconsistent quality underscores the importance of clear communication and setting expectations. Most who use Bellhop for standard, smaller moves appreciate the value, but concerns remain for complex or larger moves requiring extra care or experience.
Company Info
State license #: 2934
Years in Business: 14
DOT #: 2878240
Alternate Names: Bellhops, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Quick moving process
- Friendly and approachable staff
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Flex Moving & Storage receives glowing feedback for its polite, professional staff and efficient service, setting it apart from other companies. Most clients appreciate quick moves, careful handling, and approachable crews who communicate well and make the process easy. The company stands out for reliability and friendly support—qualities not always found in movers. Feedback highlights that belongings usually arrive undamaged, staff are punctual, and rates are affordable compared to competitors. Some customers even call out specific team members for exceptional integrity and helpfulness. On the downside, a small group of clients point out serious problems including damaged items, hidden or unexpected charges, and difficulty reaching support for resolutions. There are concerns about claims for property damage being handled poorly, and in rare cases, clients report belongings being lost or disposed of without proper notice. Despite these significant complaints, with 89% of the feedback being positive, Flex Moving & Storage maintains a strong reputation, outperforming many companies in customer service and care.
Company Info
Years in Business: 2
DOT #: 3610638
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Good communication
- Quick moving process
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Unprofessional behavior
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Moving with Smooth Move Charleston means you'll likely be impressed. Out of 270 customer inputs, 94% praised the company for efficient service, professional staff, careful handling of possessions, clear communication, and a smooth moving process. Multiple people noted easy scheduling, as well as fast, cautious crews that often finished under budget and with no surprises. Customers described their moves as stress-free with property and valuables respected throughout. Hardworking, fast-moving teams and personable attitudes have made these movers stand out when compared to others in the industry. Negative input made up just 5%, with issues concentrated around property damage, unprofessional conduct, or communication gaps. These incidents involved broken or lost items and inconsistent follow-up, which customers found frustrating. Overall, most people felt their belongings were handled safely and the staff was knowledgeable and courteous. Few companies in Charleston earn the consistent, high marks for reliability and skill Smooth Move Charleston receives from its customers.
Company Info
State license #: 9823
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2357653
Alternate Names: Go Smooth Move, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
- Efficient service
- Careful handling
- Professional and polite staff
- Quick moving process
- Helpful movers
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Unexpected charges
- Lack of communication
Review Analysis
Strong word of mouth powers All My Sons Moving & Storage, with 62% of customer input praising the team's efficiency, careful handling, professional attitude, and quick pace. Clients frequently mention courteous crews and movers who ensure belongings arrive undamaged—qualities that set them apart from many competitors. On the downside, 38% warn of damages to items, extra or unexpected charges, and poor communication, including unresolved complaints and higher-than-quoted bills. Two reviews report slow or inconsistent follow-up on damages and pricing disputes—much more critical than what customers typically see from rivals. The broad review base of 346 entries gives a clear picture: All My Sons is recognized for reliable, fast work, but also criticized for lapses in property care and billing transparency.
Company Info
State license #: 9792-B
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Customer Praise
- Professional and polite staff
- Careful handling
- Efficient service
- Good communication
- Highly recommended
Customer Complaints
- Damage to items
- Lack of communication
- Unfriendly or rude staff
Review Analysis
Customers spotlight professional and friendly crews, careful handling of belongings, efficient and organized moves, reliable communication, and consistent high recommendations for Reads Moving Systems of Carolina. Over half (51.9%) of the 129 reviews are positive, highlighting respectful treatment and punctual service. Feedback frequently mentions staff professionalism, strong communication, and movers who go out of their way to ensure a seamless experience. On the other hand, a significant portion (44.2%) of reviews point out issues, especially property damage, poor communication, and discourteous behavior. Item breakage and missing goods appear in numerous complaints. Compared to some moving companies, Reads stands out for responsiveness and care when things go smoothly, but negative input often focuses on resolving claims and recognizing problems. Customers seeking careful movers and courteous staff report excellent results, but those valuing faultless communication and damage-free moves should carefully weigh recent feedback.
Company Info
State license #: 149-D
Years in Business: 47
DOT #: 2021301
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Chicago
What to know before moving from Charleston to Chicago
Moving from Charleston to Chicago 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 Chicago, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charleston compares to Chicago so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Charleston | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $2,500 | $2,045 |
| Average home value | $559,231 | $295,743 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,294 | $71,566 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $5,300 | $3,648 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,890 | $9,266 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 9.0% |
| Sales tax | 9.0% | 10.25% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 4.95% |
- Rent prices in Chicago are 18% lower than in Charleston, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Chicago.
Home prices in Chicago are 47.1% lower than in Charleston. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Chicago, where incomes are, on average, 14.9% higher than in Charleston. Major employers in Chicago include U.S. Government, Chicago Public Schools, and City of Chicago.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chicago. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 31.2% lower than in Charleston.
- If you're moving your family to Chicago, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Chicago is 17.4% higher than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Chicago is 125.00% higher than in Charleston.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Chicago, since its sales taxes are 13.89% higher than what you are paying in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to Chicago is paying less in state income taxes, which are 29.29% lower than in Charleston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,064.91 in Chicago to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Chicago
| Chicago | Charleston | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,746,388 | 150,277 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 9 | 3 |
| Walkability score | 77 | 40 |
| Bike friendliness score | 72 | 50 |
| Crime Index | 35.19 | 44.97 |
| Safety Index | 33.87 | 55.03 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Chicago is about 1,728% 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.
- Chicago offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Chicago has a transit score of 9 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 Chicago means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Chicago is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 77 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.
- If cycling is your thing, Chicago is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Chicago has a bike-friendliness score of 72 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
- Chicago has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 35.19 and Charleston's 44.97, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Chicago. With a crime index of 33.87, Chicago ranks lower in overall safety than Charleston, whose index is 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 Chicago 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. Chicago move
- Weather: Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- State licensing: In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a Illinois moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in Illinois, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Chicago Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. For more extensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Chicago
With your sights set on Chi-Town, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Chicago.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Lake View
- Lincoln Park
- The Loop
- Near North Side
- West Town
Best neighborhoods for families
- Beverly
- Edison Park
- Lincoln Park
- North Center
- West Loop
Things to do in Chicago
After settling into your new Illinois home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Chicago has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Chicago include museums and art centers like the The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Millennium Park, Grant Park, The 606, and Lincoln Park — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), or Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) game.
source: AttractionsofAmerica
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Chicago?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charleston to Chicago. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Chicago?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charleston to Chicago moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Charleston to Chicago take?
Covering 908 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Chicago, IL typically takes two to seven days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Chicago can help bridge the gap.
