Quick answer: For a 307-mile move from Charleston to Chapel Hill, expect to spend around $437–$5,356 and one to four days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Chapel Hill to Charleston guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
From South Carolina to North Carolina, your interstate move will have a lot of moving parts — starting with which company to hire. Charleston has 4 options for interstate moves, and each one comes with different strengths and specialties. Deciding which is right for you can be a challenge in itself.
After comparing service packages, pricing details, and real feedback from customer reviews, we were able to pinpoint the best long-distance movers in Charleston for every moving option.
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Charleston to Chapel Hill
When you’d rather skip the packing tape, heavy lifting, and scheduling hassles for your interstate move from Charleston to Chapel Hill, full-service movers are the answer. They manage every step so you can keep your attention on the big decisions and the excitement of the move.
Here are our picks for the most reliable full-service movers ready to take you from Charleston to Chapel Hill without the headaches.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Charleston?
How we chose the best moving companies for your SC to NC move
The top local movers servicing Charleston to Chapel Hill moves
It's not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Charleston that also handles long-distance moves to Chapel Hill. With so many options, figuring out which ones you can trust takes time.
Luckily, we've done the research for you. We evaluated the top local movers in Charleston who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
These are the best local movers for your long-distance move from Charleston to Chapel Hill.
- Smooth Move Charleston: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Low Country Moving, LLC: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Reads Moving Systems of Carolina, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Bellhop Moving: 4.62 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
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
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 #: 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
How much does it cost to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill?
Charleston movers charge $134 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 | $1,075 - $3,565 | $790 - $1,724 | $374 - $695 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,920 - $5,356 | $1,363 - $2,514 | $437 - $814 |
4+ bedrooms | $2,958 - $7,709 | $1,820 - $3,188 | $545 - $983 |
Cost to hire movers from South Carolina to North Carolina
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Carolina to North Carolina will cost between $1,075 and $3,565. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SC to NC will range from $1,920 to $5,356, and a large move from South Carolina to North Carolina will cost from $2,958 to $7,709.
Cost of moving containers from South Carolina to North Carolina
Moving containers from South Carolina to North Carolina will cost you $790 to $1,724 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,363 to $2,514. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,820 to $3,188. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Carolina.
Cost of moving truck rentals from South Carolina to North Carolina
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $374 and $695. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $437 to $814. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $545 and $983.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Chapel Hill
What to know before moving from Charleston to Chapel Hill
Many movers find Chapel Hill easier on the wallet than Charleston — roughly 58% less for singles and 39% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,248 for one person in Chapel Hill versus $5,300 in Charleston. For a family of four, it’s $4,790 compared with $7,890.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
- Rent prices in Chapel Hill are 22% lower than in Charleston, which means you'll have more money in your pocket each month.
- The home prices in Chapel Hill are 5.9% higher than in Charleston, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Chapel Hill, where incomes are, on average, 5.3% higher than in Charleston. Major employers in Chapel Hill include University of North Carolina, Performance Bicycle, and Investors Title.
- Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Chapel Hill. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 57.6% lower than in Charleston.
- A move to Chapel Hill 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 39.3% less than what it costs in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Chapel Hill is 20.00% lower than in Charleston.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Chapel Hill, since the city's sales taxes in Chapel Hill are 16.67% lower than in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to Chapel Hill is paying less in state income taxes, which are 35.71% lower than in Charleston.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Charleston versus Chapel Hill.
Charleston | Chapel Hill | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $156.99 | $156.99 |
Cell phone plan | $54.78 | $55.25 |
Dozen eggs | $4.55 | $4.53 |
Loaf of bread | $3.82 | $4.04 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18 | $15 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80 | $80 |
Gym membership | $29.17 | $42 |
- Basic utilities are priced about the same in Charleston and Chapel Hill.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Chapel Hill.
- Eggs cost more in Charleston than in Chapel Hill.
- Bread costs less in Charleston than in Chapel Hill.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Charleston than in Chapel Hill.
- The cost of a mid-range dinner for two is about the same in both cities.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Charleston than in Chapel Hill.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 63,764 | 150,277 |
Transportation Score | 6 | 3 |
Walkability score | 34 | 40 |
Bike friendliness score | 50 | 50 |
Crime Index | 26.42 | 44.97 |
Safety Index | 73.58 | 55.03 |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
- Chapel Hill's population is about 58% less than Charleston.
- Chapel Hill's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charleston's lower score of 3.
- Chapel Hill is less walkable than Charleston with a score of 34 out of 100 vs Charleston's 40 out of 100.
- Both Chapel Hill and Charleston have the same bike-friendliness score of 50 out of 100, meaning Chapel Hill is about as safe for cyclists as Charleston. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
- Chapel Hill's crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 26.42 compared to Charleston's 44.97. This means that Chapel Hill neighborhoods are safer than 26.42% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97%.
- Chapel Hill is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 73.58 vs Charleston's 55.03.
- Air quality in Chapel Hill is moderate, and in Charleston it's good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Chapel Hill move
- Weather: May, September and October are the most pleasant months for moving as these are the driest month in Chapel Hill in a yearl, while January and July are the months you need to watch out as there might be some weather-related delays.
- 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While North Carolina 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 Chapel Hill 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. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Chapel Hill
Now that you've chosen Southern Part of Heaven as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown Chapel Hill
- Franklin Street Area
- Carrboro
- Midtown Chapel Hill
- East 54
Best neighborhoods for families
- The Oaks
- Winmore
- The Preserve at Jordan Lake
- Southern Village
- Westfall
Things to do in Chapel Hill
After settling into your new North Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Chapel Hill has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Chapel Hill is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the The Carolina Basketball Museum, Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Kidzu Children's Museum, and FRANK Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's North Carolina Botanical Garden, Coker Arboretum, Brumley Forest Nature Preserve, and Battle Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an UNC Tar Heels (Various sports) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charleston to Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill take?
Covering 307 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Chapel Hill, NC typically takes one to four days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Chapel Hill can help bridge the gap.
Which movers in Charleston give price breaks?
Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups.
Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Charleston?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 5 movers in Charleston provide piano moving services. 3 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 32 piano movers and 17 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2172 and 1398.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.