Factors influencing moving costs from Charleston to Cincinnati
What to know before moving from Charleston to Cincinnati
Moving from Charleston to Cincinnati comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Cincinnati is generally more expensive than Charleston, itโs 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:
Charleston | Cincinnati | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $875 | $1,450 |
Average home value | $153,672 | $232,735 |
Average income (per capita) | $59,354 | $65,682 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,549 | $2,467 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,862 | $6,418 |
Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.5% |
State income tax | 6.5% | 3.5% |
- Rent prices in Cincinnati are 66% higher than in Charleston, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
Home prices in Cincinnati are 51.4% higher than in Charleston. - Income in Cincinnati is 10.7% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Cincinnati include Kroger, First Student, and Macy's.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Cincinnati, since the cost of living for a single person in Cincinnati is 59.3% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Cincinnati, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Cincinnati is 66.2% higher than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Cincinnati is 20.97% lower than in Charleston.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Cincinnati, since the cityโs sales taxes in Cincinnati are 7.14% lower than in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to Cincinnati is paying less in state income taxes, which are 46.15% lower than in Charleston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,777.92 in Cincinnati to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Cincinnati
Cincinnati | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 309,317 | 48,018 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 6 | 2 |
Walkability score | 49 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 36 | 28 |
Crime Index | 48.47 | 53.94 |
Safety Index | 49.53 | 46.06 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Cincinnati's population is about 544% greater than Charleston.
- Cincinnati's public transportation has a score of 6 out of 10 versus Charleston's lower score of 2.
- Cincinnati is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 49 out of 100 vs Charleston's 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 36 out of 100, Cincinnati 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.
- Cincinnati's crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 48.47 compared to Charleston's 53.94. This means that Cincinnati neighborhoods are safer than 48.47% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
- Cincinnati and Charleston are considered to be equally safe.
- Air quality in Cincinnati is good, and in Charleston it's good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. Cincinnati move
- Weather: Snowfall and freezing weather is common in the winters and severe thunderstorms may happen in the warmer months.
- HOA rules: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company youโll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if youโre dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in Ohio, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While Ohio doesnโt 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 Cincinnati 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. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Cincinnati
With your sights set on "Blue Chip City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Cincinnati.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Central Business District
- Clifton
- Columbia-Tusculum
- Oakley
- Over-The-Rhine
Best neighborhoods for families
- Hyde Park
- Mount Adams
- Mount Lookout
- Oakley
- Pleasant Ridge
Things to do in Cincinnati
After settling into your new Ohio home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Cincinnati has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Cincinnati is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum, American Sign Museum, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Betts House, and Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Ault Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Mt. Airy Forest, and Eden Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), FC Cincinnati (MLS), or Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Cincinnati?
The best time to move from Charleston to Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?
Because most people are moving from Charleston to Cincinnati 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 Charleston to Cincinnati take?
The 196-mile move from Charleston, WV, to Cincinnati, OH, takes one to two days. Some Charleston movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Cincinnati.