Fact Checked by:
Quick answer: The cost to move from Charleston to Lexington ranges from $502 – $5,509, with a timeframe of one to six days. Factors affecting the estimate include volume, timing, and whether you handle the 544-mile move yourself or use professionals.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from Lexington to Charleston.
Our track record
Best movers by type
For a move from Charleston to Lexington, you’ll have no shortage of options. There are 3 interstate movers in your area, giving you plenty of choices… but also a big decision to make about whether to go full-service or take on more of the work yourself.
We reviewed every Charleston company against key criteria, including service variety, affordability, and what people are saying in online reviews. Only the best long-distance movers in Charleston made our final list.
Professional
|
Container
|
Rental Truck
|
Labor Only
|
Best professional movers from Charleston to Lexington
A full-service mover can streamline every step of your interstate move from Charleston to Lexington. While they handle the packing, loading, and transportation, you’re free to focus on securing your new home, planning your first few weeks, or just taking a breath before the next chapter begins.
There are 3 interstate moving companies in Charleston, below, you’ll find our top recommendations equipped to get you to Lexington efficiently and with minimal stress.
Best overall value
What moving services are available in Charleston?
How we chose the best movers SC→KY movers
Top-rated local movers that handle Charleston to Lexington moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Charleston that also provides long-distance services to Lexington can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in — we’ve analyzed local movers in Charleston who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Charleston to Lexington.
- Smooth Move Charleston: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Low Country Moving, LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Reads Moving Systems of Carolina, Inc.: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- Strong Men Moving : 3.96 out of 5 stars
- Undergrads Moving: 3.86 out of 5 stars
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
Company Info
Pricing: $150/hr
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2362770
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
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
Company Info
State license #: 9865
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
Company Info
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Charleston to Lexington?
Movers in South Carolina charge $150 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 | $1,082 – $3,261 | $684 – $1,631 | $443 – $831 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $2,083 – $5,509 | $1,275 – $2,417 | $502 – $945 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,618 – $7,774 | $1,629 – $3,145 | $613 – $1,187 |
Cost to hire movers from Charleston to Lexington
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move to Lexington from Charleston, you can expect prices to land between $1,082 and $3,261. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,083 to $5,509 for the trip from Charleston to Lexington. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $3,618 and $7,774.
Cost of moving containers from Charleston to Lexington
Moving containers from Charleston to Lexington will cost you $684 to $1,631 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,275 to $2,417. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,629 to $3,145. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Charleston to Lexington
Renting a moving truck from Charleston to Lexington typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $443 and $831 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $502 to $945. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $613 to $1,187.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Charleston to Lexington move
What to know before moving from Charleston to Lexington
Many movers find Lexington easier on the wallet than Charleston – roughly 42% less for singles and 47% less for families.
Monthly basics average $3,100 for one person in Lexington versus $5,300 in Charleston. For a family of four, it’s $4,170 compared with $7,890.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Charleston | Lexington | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,529 | $1,175 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $4,487 | $2,110 |
| Average home value | $559,231 | $309,021 |
| Average income (per capita) | $62,294 | $61,526 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 4.3% |
| Sales tax | 9.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 7.0% | 4.0% |
- Rent is about 46% less expensive in Lexington than in Charleston, so you will have more cash on hand each month.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 45% lower in Lexington than in Charleston.
- Luckily, the average income is within about 5% of the same in Lexington and Charleston, so no need to worry about big financial changes.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Lexington. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 42% lower than in Charleston.
- A move to Lexington can help cut down on a family’s routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 47% less than what it costs in Charleston.
- Lexington has a higher unemployment rate than Charleston by about 7%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 33% lower in Lexington than in Charleston. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Lexington can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 43% lower in Kentucky than in South Carolina. Lower income tax rates mean less money is withheld from your paycheck, giving you more flexibility to save, invest, or cover everyday expenses.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Charleston and Lexington, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
| Living Expense | Charleston | Lexington |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $156.99 | $206.92 |
| Cell phone plan | $54.78 | $71.33 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.55 | $2.98 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.82 | $2.90 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $14.25 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $75.00 |
| Gym membership | $29.17 | $37.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charleston than in Lexington, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Lexington.
- Eggs cost more in Charleston than in Lexington.
- Bread is more expensive in Charleston than in Lexington.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Charleston than in Lexington.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Charleston than in Lexington.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Charleston than in Lexington.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Lexington
| Charleston | Lexington | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,277 | 320,347 |
| Transportation score | 3 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 40 | 90 |
| Bike friendliness score | 50 | 85 |
| Crime index | 44.97 | 50.88 |
| Safety index | 55.03 | 49.12 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Lexington’s population is about 113% greater than Charleston.
- Lexington’s public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Charleston’s lower score of 3.
- Lexington is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 90 out of 100 vs Charleston’s 40 out of 100.
- With a score of 85 out of 100, Lexington is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 50 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Lexington’s crime rate is higher than Charleston with a score of 50.88 compared to Charleston’s 44.97. This means that Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.88% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97%.
- Lexington is considered to be less safe than Charleston with a score of 49.12 vs Charleston’s 55.03.
- Air quality in Lexington is Good, and in Charleston it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston to Lexington move
- 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: If there is an elevator in your building, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- State licensing: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Kentucky moving license through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Kentucky, though it’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- 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 Lexington without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items’ full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Lexington
Ready to relocate to Horse Capital of the World? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Lexington.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Downtown Lexington
- Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Georgetown
- Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair
Best neighborhoods for families
- Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Georgetown
- Paris
- Southland-Deerfield-Open Gates
Things to do in Lexington
Now that you’ve made the move to Kentucky, it’s the perfect time to explore Lexington. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there’s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Lexington include museums and art centers like the Kentucky Horse Park, Mary Todd Lincoln House, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate, and The Aviation Museum of Kentucky.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate The Arboretum, Thoroughbred Park, Jacobson Park, and Masterson Station Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Lexington Legends (ALPB)Lexington SC (USL League One) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Lexington?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Charleston to Lexington. You’ll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Lexington?
With many people choosing to move from Charleston to Lexington in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Charleston to Lexington take?
Covering 544 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Lexington, typically takes one to six days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Lexington can help bridge the gap.
How many movers in Charleston can handle specialty items for my move to Lexington?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Charleston, 4 movers can handle pianos. 2 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of SC, there are 20 piano movers and 12 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 1,607 and 1,131 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.
Helpful moving resources
Charleston moving services
Popular South Carolina routes
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
