Quick answer: A typical 454-mile move from Virginia Beach to Charleston runs $498–$6,313 and takes one to four days. Price and timing vary based on how much stuff you are moving, move date, and choice of DIY or full-service.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Virginia Beach guide.
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Best Professional Movers from Virginia Beach to Charleston
Picking a long-distance moving company for your journey from Virginia Beach to Charleston isn't always easy. With so many choices out there, figuring out who you can really rely on can feel overwhelming.
No need to waste hours comparing moving companies — we've done the work for you. Our top picks stand out for their glowing reviews, affordable rates, and wide range of services to fit any move.
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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How we chose the best moving companies for your VA to SC move
Find trusted moving companies for your Virginia Beach to Charleston journey
Organizing a move from Virginia Beach to Charleston can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Virginia Beach known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Virginia Beach to Charleston.
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- A Friendly & Affordable Mover: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Tidal Town Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 3320644
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Virginia Beach
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 3786641
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons Of Newport News, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 076235
Years in Business: 110
DOT #: 2897746
Alternate Names: Covan World Wide Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 3239170
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 3239170
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $140/hr
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 4033059
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Virginia Beach to Charleston?
Virginia Beach movers charge $97 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 | $1,253 - $3,669 | $821 - $2,069 | $502 - $908 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,195 - $6,313 | $1,558 - $2,998 | $498 - $1,088 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,871 - $8,966 | $2,050 - $3,586 | $686 - $1,270 |
Cost to hire movers from Virginia to South Carolina
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Virginia to South Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,253 and $3,669. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,195 to $6,313 for the trip from VA to SC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $3,871 and $8,966.
Cost of moving containers from Virginia to South Carolina
If you're relocating from Virginia to South Carolina, you'll typically spend between $821 and $2,069 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,558 up to $2,998. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $2,050 and $3,586. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Exploree our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Virginia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Virginia to South Carolina
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $502 to $908. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $498 to $1,088, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Virginia to South Carolina costs around $686 to $1,270.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Key factors that impact the cost of your Virginia Beach to Charleston move
What to know before moving from Virginia Beach to Charleston
Moving from Virginia Beach to Charleston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Charleston is generally more expensive than Virginia Beach, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Virginia Beach | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,950 | $2,500 |
Average home value | $402,391 | $559,231 |
Average income (per capita) | $81,810 | $62,294 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,533 | $5,300 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $5,910 | $7,890 |
Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 4.0% |
Sales tax | 6.0% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 5.75% | 7.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Charleston, since prices are typically 28% higher than in Virginia Beach.
- The home prices in Charleston are 39.0% higher than in Virginia Beach, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income in Charleston is 23.9% lower than in Virginia Beach, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Charleston — including Joint Base Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, and The Boeing Company — may pay more.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Charleston, since the cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 16.9% higher than in Virginia Beach. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Charleston, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 33.5% higher than in Virginia Beach.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 16.67% lower than in Virginia Beach.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Charleston, since its sales taxes are 50.00% higher than what you are paying in Virginia Beach.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 21.74% higher than in Virginia Beach.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,507.61 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Virginia Beach.
How life is different in Virginia Beach vs. Charleston
Charleston | Virginia Beach | |
---|---|---|
Population | 150,277 | 457,672 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 3 |
Walkability score | 40 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 50 | 42 |
Crime Index | 44.97 | 42.0 |
Safety Index | 55.03 | 58.0 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Charleston might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 67% less than Virginia Beach.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Charleston will be about the same as it currently is in Virginia Beach. 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 Charleston means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Virginia Beach. Charleston is considered more walkable than Virginia Beach, with a score of 40 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Virginia Beach. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Charleston is considered more bike-friendly than Virginia Beach in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Charleston has a bike-friendliness score of 50 out of 100, while Virginia Beach is rated as 42 out of 100.
- You can anticipate the same crime rate in Charleston as Virginia Beach. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
- Charleston is generally as safe as Virginia Beach, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Charleston and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach vs. Charleston move
- 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulations—some areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won't need a moving permit in South Carolina, though it's smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Charleston Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Charleston
Now that you've chosen Holy City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Charleston to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Harleston Village
- James Island
- North Charleston
- South of Broad West Ashley
Best neighborhoods for families
- Mount Pleasant
- Park Circle
- Stiles Point
- Summerville
- Wagener Terrace
Things to do in Charleston
After settling into your new South Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Charleston has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Charleston is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Fort Sumter National Monument, Nathaniel Russell House, Old Slave Mart Museum, The Charleston Museum, and Gibbes Museum of Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Middleton Place, Battery & White Point Gardens, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, and Joseph P. Riley, Jr. 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 Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Charleston?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Virginia Beach to Charleston are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Virginia Beach. are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Virginia Beach to Charleston?
Because most people are moving from Virginia Beach to Charleston in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Virginia Beach to Charleston take?
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Charleston, SC covers 454 miles and usually takes one to four days Need to move faster? Some Virginia Beach movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Charleston.