Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Toledotoggle

The cost of Charleston movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Charleston to Toledo might cost just $1,300 for a one-bedroom, but up to $7,829 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Charleston, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $660 and $1,670, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Charleston to Toledo

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

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

Charleston Toledo
Average rent cost $2,500 $900
Average home value $559,231 $118,985
Average income (per capita) $62,294 $63,136
Cost of living (single person) $5,300 $1,830
Cost of living (family of 4) $7,890 $4,938
Unemployment rate 4.0% 6.7%
Sales tax 9.0% 7.3%
State income tax 7.0% 3.5%
  • Rent prices in Toledo are 64% lower than in Charleston, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Toledo.
    Home prices in Toledo are 78.7% lower than in Charleston.
  • Income in Toledo is 1.4% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Toledo include Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Marco's Pizza, and HCR ManorCare.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Toledo is 65.5% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family in Toledo is 37.4% lower than in Charleston.
  • The unemployment rate in Toledo is 67.50% higher than in Charleston.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Toledo, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Toledo are 18.89% lower than in Charleston.
  • One perk of moving to Toledo is paying less in state income taxes, which are 50.00% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,035.85 in Toledo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Toledo

Toledo Charleston
Population 270,871 150,277
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 3
Walkability score 46 40
Bike friendliness score 46 50
Crime Index 67.44 44.97
Safety Index 32.56 55.03
Air Quality Good Good
  • The population of Toledo is about 80% 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.
  • Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Toledo will be about the same as it currently is in Charleston. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
  • Living in Toledo means youโ€™ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Toledo is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 46 out of 100 versus 40 out of 100 in Charleston. A cityโ€™s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
  • You probably wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Toledo, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Charleston. While Charleston has a bike-friendliness score of 50 out of 100, Toledo 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 Toledo 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 67.44 in Toledo, it is 44.97 in Charleston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโ€™s crime levels.
  • You may want to exercise more caution as youโ€™re getting used to your new surroundings in Toledo. With a crime index of 32.56, Toledo 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 Toledo 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. Toledo move

  • Weather: Toledo has four very distinct seasons. This means that in the wintertime, you should prepare for snow and in the summer it's usually warm.
  • HOA rules: Itโ€™s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโ€™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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company youโ€™ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโ€™re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
  • State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโ€™s license in Ohio, visit the state's public utilities commission
  • Moving permits: While Ohio doesnโ€™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 Toledo 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 cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 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 Toledo

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

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • West Gate
  • Southwyck
  • Franklin Park
  • Beverly
  • Reynolds Corners

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Ottawa Hills
  • Old Orchard
  • Sylvania
  • Perrysburg
  • Beverly

Things to do in Toledo

After settling into your new Ohio home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Toledo has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Toledo is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Toledo Museum of Art, National Museum of the Great Lakes, Imagination Station, Glass Pavilion, and Toledo Firefighters Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Toledo Botanical Garden, Oak Openings Preserve, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, and Walbridge Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Toledo Walleye (ECHL), Toledo Reign (WFA), The Glass City Rollers (WFTDA), or Toledo Villa FC (USL) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Charleston to Toledo?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charleston to Toledo. Youโ€™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 Toledo?

Because spring and fall moves from Charleston to Toledo are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Charleston to Toledo take?

Covering 774 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Toledo, OH typically takes two to seven days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inToledo can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources