Quick answer: Expect to pay $2,226–$11,461 for a move from Tacoma to Charleston, with most moves taking seven to 21 days. Your cost depends on load size, timing, and whether you move yourself or hire help for the 2,951 miles.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Charleston to Tacoma guide.
Our track record
Best Movers By Type
Professional
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Labor Only
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Best Professional Movers from Tacoma to Charleston
Choosing a long-distance mover for your trip from Tacoma to Charleston can be tough. With so many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed about who you can truly count on.
Save yourself the hassle of sorting through countless moving companies — we've already narrowed down the best for you. Our favorites earned their spots thanks to rave reviews, budget-friendly prices, and versatile services to suit any type of 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 WA to SC move
Local moving companies servicing Tacoma to Charleston moves
When planning a move from Tacoma to Charleston, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. There are plenty of companies, but which ones are actually worth it?
We've taken care of the research for you — reviewing local movers in Tacoma who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Tacoma to Charleston.
- Mountain Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Olympic Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- First Due Movers: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- A2B Moving & Storage, LLC: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- All Ready Moving & Storage: 4.62 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 885643
Years in Business: 62
DOT #: 885643
Alternate Names: Mountain Trucking Co Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 1809
Years in Business: 122
DOT #: 586615
Alternate Names: Olympic Moving & Storage, Olympic Moving & Storage II, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 063862
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 1990914
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1941425
Years in Business: 15
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 2083124
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Tacoma to Charleston?
Tacoma movers charge $133 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 | $1,974 - $8,319 | $1,833 - $4,666 | $2,096 - $3,910 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,650 - $11,461 | $3,316 - $6,878 | $2,226 - $4,796 |
4+ bedrooms | $11,524 - $17,945 | $4,491 - $9,771 | $2,703 - $6,004 |
Cost to hire movers from Washington to South Carolina
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Washington to South Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,974 and $8,319. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $5,650 to $11,461 for the trip from WA to SC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $11,524 and $17,945.
Cost of moving containers from Washington to South Carolina
When you're heading from Washington to South Carolina, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $1,833 and $4,666. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $3,316 and $6,878. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $4,491 to $9,771. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Washington easier and more affordable.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Washington 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 $2,096 to $3,910. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $2,226 to $4,796, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Washington to South Carolina costs around $2,703 to $6,004.
These quotes include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors influencing moving costs from Tacoma to Charleston
What to know before moving from Tacoma to Charleston
Moving from Tacoma to Charleston comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Charleston is generally more expensive than Tacoma, 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:
Tacoma | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,650 | $2,500 |
Average home value | $477,289 | $559,231 |
Average income (per capita) | $73,341 | $62,294 |
Cost of living (single person) | $4,133 | $5,300 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,260 | $7,890 |
Unemployment rate | 7.3% | 4.0% |
Sales tax | 10.3% | 9.0% |
State income tax | 0.0% | 7.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Charleston, since prices are typically 52% higher than in Tacoma.
- The home prices in Charleston are 17.2% higher than in Tacoma, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- Income in Charleston is 15.1% lower than in Tacoma, 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 28.2% higher than in Tacoma. 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 8.7% higher than in Tacoma.
- The unemployment rate in Charleston is 45.21% lower than in Tacoma.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Charleston, since the city's sales taxes in Charleston are 12.62% lower than in Tacoma.
- State income taxes in Charleston are 7.00% higher than in Tacoma.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,847.08 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Tacoma.
How life is different in Tacoma vs. Charleston
Charleston | Tacoma | |
---|---|---|
Population | 150,277 | 223,968 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 6 |
Walkability score | 40 | 54 |
Bike friendliness score | 50 | 48 |
Crime Index | 44.97 | 55.55 |
Safety Index | 55.03 | 44.45 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Charleston's population is about 33% less than Tacoma.
- Charleston's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Tacoma's higher score of 6.
- Charleston is less walkable than Tacoma with a score of 40 out of 100 vs Tacoma's 54 out of 100.
- Both Charleston and Tacoma have the same bike-friendliness score of 48 out of 100, meaning Charleston is about as safe for cyclists as Tacoma. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
- Charleston's crime rate is lower than Tacoma with a score of 44.97 compared to Tacoma's 55.55. This means that Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 44.97% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Tacoma neighborhoods are safer than 55.55%.
- Charleston is considered to be safer than Tacoma with a safety index of 55.03 vs Tacoma's 44.45.
- Air quality in Charleston is good, and in Tacoma it's good.
Other things to consider for your Tacoma 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: 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: 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in South Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While South Carolina 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 Charleston 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 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Charleston
Ready to relocate to Holy City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Charleston.
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 getting comfortable in your new South Carolina home, it's time to see what Charleston is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Charleston include museums and art 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 — and more, offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Nothing beats the thrill of cheering on the home team at an Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Charleston?
The best time to move from Tacoma to Charleston is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Tacoma.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tacoma to Charleston?
With many people choosing to move from Tacoma to Charleston in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Tacoma to Charleston take?
The 2,951-mile move from Tacoma, WA, to Charleston, SC, takes seven to 21 days. Some Tacoma movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Charleston.