($1,460) Movers From Charleston, SC to Spokane, WA

What to know before moving from Charleston to Spokane

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

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

• Rent prices in Spokane are 42% 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 Spokane.
  Home prices in Spokane are 32.8% lower than in Charleston.
• Income in Spokane is 2.4% lower than in Charleston, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Spokane include Key Tronic, URM Stores, and Empire Health Centers Group.
• The cost of living for a single person in Spokane is 51.8% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Spokane is 20.5% lower than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Spokane is 65.00% higher than in Charleston.
• Sales taxes are the same in Spokane and Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Spokane is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,446.79 in Spokane to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Spokane

• The population of Spokane is about 295% 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.
• Spokane offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. Spokane 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 Spokane means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. Spokane is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 49 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.
• Spokane and Charleston are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 52 and 50 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Spokane has a lower crime rate than Charleston based on scores of 3.0 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 Spokane. With a crime index of 44.94, Spokane 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 Spokane 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. Spokane move

• Weather: it is advisable to plan your trips to Spokane, WA between the months of August, July and September as these months have more favorable weather.
• 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: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Washington, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Washington 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 Spokane 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. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Spokane

With your sights set on "Hooptown USA", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Spokane.

Helpful moving resources