($1,272) Movers From Charleston, SC to Rochester, NY

What to know before moving from Charleston to Rochester

Moving from Charleston to Rochester 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 Rochester, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

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

• Rent prices in Rochester are 50% 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 Rochester.
  Home prices in Rochester are 64.1% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in Rochester is 3.1% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Rochester include Wegmans Food Markets, Paychex, and Bausch + Lomb.
• The cost of living for a single person in Rochester is 57.1% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Rochester is 37.6% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Rochester is 145.00% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Rochester, since the city’s sales taxes in Rochester are 11.11% lower than in Charleston.
• State income taxes in Rochester are 55.71% higher than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,287.17 in Rochester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Rochester

• The population of Rochester is about 41% 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.
• Rochester offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Rochester has a transit score of 6 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 Rochester means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Rochester is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 61 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, Rochester 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. Rochester has a bike-friendliness score of 60 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 50 out of 100.
• Rochester has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 37.54 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 Rochester. With a crime index of 36.66, Rochester 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 Rochester 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. Rochester move

• Weather: The cold weather and snow might be a challenge if you're planning to relocate to Rochester, NY during January and February. August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Rochester.
• 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in New York, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While New York 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 Rochester 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. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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 Rochester

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

Helpful moving resources