($1,366) Movers From Charleston, WV to Grand Rapids, MI

What to know before moving from Charleston to Grand Rapids

Moving from Charleston to Grand Rapids comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Grand Rapids is generally more expensive than Charleston, 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:

• Rent prices in Grand Rapids are 90% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in Grand Rapids are 113.6% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in Grand Rapids is 6.6% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Grand Rapids include Meijer, Spectrum Health Hospitals, and Universal Forest Products.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Grand Rapids, since the cost of living for a single person in Grand Rapids is 244.3% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Grand Rapids, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Grand Rapids is 85.4% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in Grand Rapids is 30.65% lower than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Grand Rapids, since the city’s sales taxes in Grand Rapids are 14.29% lower than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to Grand Rapids is paying less in state income taxes, which are 34.62% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $10,328.60 in Grand Rapids to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Grand Rapids

• Grand Rapids's population is about 314% greater than Charleston.
• Grand Rapids's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charleston's lower score of 2.
• Grand Rapids is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 56 out of 100 vs Charleston's 33 out of 100.
• With a score of 52 out of 100, Grand Rapids is more bike-friendly than Charleston, which has a score of 28 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
• Grand Rapids's crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 44.23 compared to Charleston's 53.94. This means that Grand Rapids neighborhoods are safer than 44.23% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
• Grand Rapids is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 55.77 vs Charleston's 46.06.
• Air quality in Grand Rapids is good, and in Charleston it's good.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Grand Rapids move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most most advisable months to move in Grand Rapids, while January and December are the least comfortable months.
• 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Michigan, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Michigan 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 Grand Rapids 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. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Grand Rapids

With your sights set on "GR", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Grand Rapids.

Helpful moving resources