The best local movers for Charleston to Louisville moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Charleston that also handles long-distance moves to Louisville. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. We evaluated five local movers in Charleston who offer long-distance services, looking at cost, service quality, and customer reviews.
Below are the top local moving companies for long-distance moves from Charleston to Louisville.
- Central Van & Storage, Inc.: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Dunbar Transfer: 4.0 out of 5 stars
- Evans Van & Storage: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems: 4.14 out of 5 stars
- Positive Moves: 3.78 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 28
DOT #: 076235
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 1186580
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
DOT #: 070851
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 587135
Alternate Names: Future Enterprises Corporation
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Fragile-only packing
How much does it cost to move from Charleston to Louisville?
The average hourly rate for movers in West Virginia is . Here are some general cost estimates for a full-service moving company, a moving container, or a rental truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $873 – $2,816 | $588 – $1,318 | $278 – $499 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,448 – $4,419 | $1,016 – $1,877 | $290 – $567 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,162 – $5,630 | $1,448 – $2,391 | $372 – $667 |
Cost to hire movers from Charleston to Louisville
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Charleston to Louisville will cost between $873 and $2,816. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Charleston to Charleston will range from $1,448 to $4,419, and a large move from Charleston to Louisville will cost from $2,162 to $5,630.
Cost of moving containers from Charleston to Louisville
If you’re moving from Charleston to Louisville, expect to pay between $588 and $1,318 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,016 up to $1,877. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,448 and $2,391. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from West Virginia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Charleston to Louisville
Renting a moving truck from Charleston to Louisville is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you’ll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $278 and $499. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $290 and $567. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $372 up to $667 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Louisville
The cost of Charleston movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,239, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $5,014.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Charleston, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($278–$641) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Charleston to Louisville
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Louisville runs about 20% higher for singles and 17% higher for families than Charleston.
Singles spend around $1,862 in Charleston versus $1,549 in Charleston; families pay $4,532 compared with $3,862.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Charleston | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $933 | $1,220 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,800 | $2,120 |
| Average home value | $153,672 | $242,612 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,354 | $69,771 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,549 | $1,862 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,862 | $4,532 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 5.0% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 6.5% | 4.0% |
- Rent is estimated to be 43% higher in Louisville compared to Charleston; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 58% greater in Louisville than in Charleston.
- Here’s some promising news: the average income is around 18% higher in Louisville than in Charleston, which could mean added opportunities to save or invest each month.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Louisville, since the cost of living for a single person in Louisville is 20% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Louisville, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Louisville is 17% greater than in Charleston.
- Louisville enjoys an unemployment rate that’s roughly 19% lower compared to Charleston, suggesting better job prospects and a dynamic economy—an appealing prospect for new residents.
- Sales taxes drop 14% in Louisville compared to Charleston, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 38% less in Kentucky than in West Virginia. With these lower tax rates, you can enjoy more take-home pay, simplifying your financial management.
Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Charleston and Louisville:
| Living Expense | Charleston | Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $128.95 | $225.63 |
| Cell phone plan | $45.33 | $56.73 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.26 | $3.02 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.20 | $2.61 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $16.50 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $50.00 | $80.00 |
| Gym membership | $31.00 | $22.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charleston than in Louisville, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Louisville.
- Eggs cost more in Charleston than in Louisville.
- Bread costs less in Charleston than in Louisville.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Charleston than in Louisville.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Charleston than in Louisville.
- Gym memberships cost more in Charleston than in Louisville.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Louisville
| Charleston | Louisville | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,018 | 782,969 |
| Transportation score | 2 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 91 |
| Bike friendliness score | 28 | 79 |
| Crime index | 53.94 | 56.68 |
| Safety index | 46.06 | 43.32 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Louisville’s population is about 1531% greater than Charleston.
- Louisville’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Charleston’s score of 2.
- Louisville is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 91 out of 100 vs Charleston’s 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 79 out of 100, Louisville is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 28 out of 100. The higher a city’s score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Louisville and Charleston have a similar crime rate with scores of 56.68 and 53.94, respectively.
- Louisville is considered to be less safe than Charleston with a score of 43.32 vs Charleston’s 46.06.
- Air quality in Louisville is Good, and in Charleston it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston to Louisville move
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- State licensing: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Kentucky doesn’t require moving permits, but it’s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- 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 Louisville. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Choose Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items’ full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Louisville
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to City of Beautiful Churches, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Louisville.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Butchertown
- Clifton
- Crescent Hill
- Downtown
- The Highlands
- St. Matthews
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bonnycastle
- Clifton Heights
- Crescent Hill
- Hayfield Dundee
- Highlands Douglass
Things to do in Louisville
Once you’re settled into your new home in Kentucky, it’s time to get out and discover what Louisville has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Louisville, such as the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Kentucky Derby Museum, Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad’s Castle), and Muhammad Ali Center.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s The Parklands of Floyds Fork, Louisville Waterfront Park, Iroquois Park, and Cherokee Park — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
- Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Louisville Cardinals (NCAA)Louisville Bats (Triple-A East)Louisville City FC (USL Championship) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Louisville?
The best time to move from Charleston to Louisville is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Louisville?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charleston to Louisville, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Charleston to Louisville take?
Moving from Charleston, WV to Louisville, covers 247 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Charleston movers offer expedited options. If you’re not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Louisville.
Who can move pianos or antiques in Charleston?
Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 3 movers in Charleston advertise piano moving expertise. 2 movers in Charleston provide antique moving services. State totals show 5 piano movers and 4 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,303 and 1,466.
Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.
Helpful moving resources
Charleston moving services
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