Moving from Houston, TX to Charleston, SC: Movers and Cost

Last Updated: Jan 26, 2023 · 5 min read

Quick Answer: The cost to move from Houston, TX to Charleston, SC averages from $923 to $6,163 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Charleston, SC. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Houston guide.

Best Houston to Charleston movers: We’ve handpicked the best moving companies from Houston to Charleston.
How much will your move cost?: Use our moving calculator to get a more accurate estimate on moving costs.
Consider moving containers: Need a more budget-friendly option? With these companies, you load and they drive! These are the best moving container companies.
Houston to Charleston car shippers: Moving your car? Here's a list of our top car shipping companies.

Moving 1,087 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from Houston to Charleston?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size	Moving Company	Moving Container	Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom	$1,211 - $4,930	$1,168 - $2,330	$877 - $1,212
2 - 3 bedrooms	$2,567 - $6,163	$2,193 - $3,494	$923 - $1,424
4+ bedrooms	$4,208 - $8,075	$2,928 - $4,369	$1,168 - $1,705

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,087 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from Houston to Charleston will depend on:

Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Who Are The Best Houston to Charleston Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company	Quote	Rating
Best Overall Value	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
Best industry reputation	Get A Quote	4.5 overall rating
Best customer service	Get A Quote	4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Houston to Charleston?

To ship furniture from Houston to Charleston with a mover will cost between $1,211 to $4,930. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $2,567 to $6,163, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from Houston to Charleston will cost from $4,208 to $8,075.

How much are moving container companies from Houston to Charleston?

Moving containers from Houston to Charleston will cost you $1,168 to $2,330 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,193 to $3,494. A larger home will cost $2,928 to $4,369.

How much is a moving truck from Houston to Charleston?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $877 to $1,212. A larger move will cost $923 to $1,424, and a 4+ bedroom move from Houston to Charleston costs from $1,168 to $1,705.

How to ship a car from Houston to Charleston

Now that you've picked from the top movers for your belongings, it's time to choose an experienced and reputable Houston to Charleston car shipper.

Just like booking a reputable mover, professional car shippers will apply know-how and experience to make sure that your car makes it unscathed during this long-distance move.

Company	Quote	Rating	Price
	Check prices	5 overall rating
	Check prices	4.75 overall rating
	Check prices	4.5 overall rating

The type of transport you choose and the size of the vehicle will influence the final price of shipping your car. Learn more about car shipping costs.

Is moving from Houston, TX to Charleston, SC a good idea?

Cost of Living: Houston vs Charleston

	Houston	Charleston
Average rent cost	$1,242	$1,560
Average home value	$243,875	$510,922
Average income (per capita)	$62,076	$57,816
Cost of Living (single person)	$838	$1,055
Cost of Living (family of 4)	$2,976	$3,685
Unemployment rate	4.8%	4.0%
Sales Tax	8.25%	9.0%
State Income Tax	0.0%	7.0%

source: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo

Rent Prices in Charleston, SC are 26% higher than in Houston, TX.
Home Prices in Charleston, SC are 109.5% higher than in Houston, TX.
Income in Charleston, SC is 6.9% lower than in Houston, TX.
Cost of Living for a single person in Charleston, SC is 25.9% higher than in Houston, TX.
Cost of Living for a family in Charleston, SC is 23.8% higher than in Houston, TX.
Unemployment rate in Charleston, SC is 16.67% lower than in Houston, TX.
Sales Taxes in Charleston, SC are 9.09% higher than in Houston, TX.
State Income Taxes in Charleston, SC are 7.00% higher than in Houston, TX.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,223.2 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Houston.

How is life different in Houston, TX to Charleston, SC?

	Charleston	Houston
Population	150,277	2,304,580
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score	3	5
Walkability score	40	47
Bike friendliness score	50	49
Crime Index	18.0	55.87
Safety Index	61.13	36.23
Air Quality	Good	Good

source: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow

Charleston’s population is about 93% less than Houston.
Charleston’s public transportation is not as good as Houston with a score of 3 vs 5.
Charleston is less walkable than Houston with a score of 40 vs 47.
Charleston is more bike-friendly than Houston with a score of 50 vs 49.
Charleston's crime rate is lower than Houston with a score of 18.0 compared to 55.87.
Charleston is considered to be safer than Houston with a safety index of 61.13 vs 36.23.
Air Quality in Charleston is Good, and in Houston it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Charleston, SC

Weather: Consider moving to Charleston around October, April and May as these are the most pleasant months, while July and August are the least comfortable ones due to thunderstorms which can cause delays in your moving plans..
HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
Elevator Reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
Truck Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
State Licensing: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
State Regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
Moving Permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Charleston. Get started here.
Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local Houston Movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
Bellhop most popular	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	222 North 66th Street, Houston, TX, 77011 (713) 766-4884
3 Men Movers	Get A Quote	4.76 overall rating	6805 Sands Point Drive, Houston, TX, 77074 (713) 333-6683
Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.72 overall rating	7935 Wright Road, Houston, TX, 77041 (281) 606-0473