Top local movers for Charleston to Harrisburg moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Charleston that also provides long-distance services to Harrisburg can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in — we’ve analyzed five local movers in Charleston who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Charleston to Harrisburg.
- 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 Harrisburg?
Movers in West Virginia generally charge an average of per hour. Check out these typical costs for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck rental:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,044 – $3,030 | $604 – $1,401 | $340 – $620 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,713 – $5,093 | $1,095 – $2,090 | $376 – $700 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,774 – $6,765 | $1,478 – $2,850 | $457 – $889 |
Cost to hire movers from Charleston to Harrisburg
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Charleston to Harrisburg typically costs between $1,044 and $3,030. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $1,713 and $5,093 when moving from Charleston to Harrisburg. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Charleston to Harrisburg, you’re looking at costs ranging from $2,774 up to $6,765.
Cost of moving containers from Charleston to Harrisburg
If you’re relocating from Charleston to Harrisburg, you’ll typically spend between $604 and $1,401 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,095 up to $2,090. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $1,478 and $2,850. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from West Virginia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Charleston to Harrisburg
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Charleston to Harrisburg move, but remember, you’ll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.
If you’re moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $340 and $620. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $376 to $700. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $457 and $889.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Charleston to Harrisburg
The cost of Charleston movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move depends on how much you’re bringing. A one-bedroom from Charleston to Harrisburg might be as low as $1,337, while a four-bedroom could reach $5,521.
- When you move: Moving in summer often costs more, since it’s the busiest season for movers in Charleston.
- DIY moves vs. full-service help: Truck rentals cost less — around $340 to $835 — but you’ll handle all the labor vs. letting professionals do it.
What to know before moving from Charleston to Harrisburg
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Harrisburg runs about 19% higher for singles and -6% higher for families than Charleston.
Singles spend around $1,849 in Charleston versus $1,549 in Charleston; families pay $3,612 compared with $3,862.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Charleston | Harrisburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $933 | $1,550 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,800 | $1,946 |
| Average home value | $153,672 | $230,038 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,354 | $73,256 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,549 | $1,849 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,862 | $3,612 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 13.4% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 6.5% | 3.07% |
- Consider this before moving: Rent can be about 37% higher in Harrisburg than in Charleston, which may impact your monthly finances.
- A larger mortgage budget will be necessary since home prices are about 50% higher in Harrisburg than in Charleston.
- Exciting news here, the average income is about 23% higher in Harrisburg than in Charleston, so you should have more to save or invest each month.
- Anticipate increased living expenses in Harrisburg, as the cost of living for a single person in Harrisburg is 19% greater than in Charleston. This covers typical expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transport.
- Relocating to Harrisburg could provide savings on routine expenses for your family, including transportation, utilities, and groceries. The cost of living for a family is 6% lower than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Harrisburg exceeds that of Charleston by about 116%, resulting in a larger pool of potential workers and thus more hiring competition.
- Sales taxes are 14% lower in Harrisburg than Charleston, a factor that could decrease expenditure on taxable items if your consumption is higher.
- Income taxes are 53% lower in Pennsylvania than in West Virginia. Lower income tax rates mean less money is withheld from your paycheck, giving you more flexibility to save, invest, or cover everyday expenses.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Charleston and Harrisburg, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
| Living Expense | Charleston | Harrisburg |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $128.95 | $160.00 |
| Cell phone plan | $45.33 | $59.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.26 | $4.26 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.20 | $3.72 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $50.00 | $65.00 |
| Gym membership | $31.00 | $27.50 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charleston than in Harrisburg, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Harrisburg.
- Eggs are less expensive in Charleston than in Harrisburg.
- Bread costs less in Charleston than in Harrisburg.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Charleston than in Harrisburg.
- Gym memberships cost more in Charleston than in Harrisburg.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Harrisburg
| Charleston | Harrisburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,018 | 50,099 |
| Transportation score | 2 | 6 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 68 |
| Bike friendliness score | 28 | 57 |
| Crime index | 53.94 | 64.18 |
| Safety index | 46.06 | 35.82 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Harrisburg’s population is within about 5% of Charleston, so they’re very similar in size.
- Harrisburg’s public transportation score of 6 out of 10 is higher than Charleston’s score of 2.
- Harrisburg is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 68 out of 100 vs Charleston’s 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 57 out of 100, Harrisburg 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.
- Harrisburg’s crime rate is higher than Charleston with a score of 64.18 compared to Charleston’s 53.94. This means that Harrisburg neighborhoods are safer than 64.18% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
- Harrisburg is considered to be less safe than Charleston with a score of 35.82 vs Charleston’s 46.06.
- Air quality in Harrisburg is Moderate, and in Charleston it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston to Harrisburg move
- 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: If there is an elevator in your building, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- State licensing: For decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Pennsylvania moving license through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won’t need a moving permit in Pennsylvania, though it’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- 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 Harrisburg without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover insurance. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.
Where to live in Harrisburg
Ready to relocate to Harrisburg? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Harrisburg.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Midtown
- SoMa
- Capitol District
- Downtown Harrisburg
- Allison Hill
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bellevue Park
- Uptown
- Olde Uptown
- Riverside
- Camp Curtin
Things to do in Harrisburg
Now that you’ve made the move to Pennsylvania, it’s the perfect time to explore Harrisburg. From local hotspots to hidden gems, there’s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Cultural attractions in Harrisburg include museums and art centers like the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, and Susquehanna Art Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Fort Hunter Mansion and Park, Wildwood Park, Riverfront Park, and Kohl Memorial Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Harrisburg Senators (Baseball-Eastern League) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Harrisburg?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Charleston to Harrisburg. You’ll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Harrisburg?
With many people choosing to move from Charleston to Harrisburg 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 Charleston to Harrisburg take?
Covering 365 miles, the move from Charleston, WV to Harrisburg, typically takes one to four days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Harrisburg can help bridge the gap.
How many movers in Charleston can handle specialty items for my move to Harrisburg?
Specialty moving services aren’t offered by every company. In Charleston, 3 movers can handle pianos. 2 offer antique moving services. Compared to the rest of WV, there are 5 piano movers and 4 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers are 2,303 and 1,466 respectively.
If you need these services, it’s best to book early — availability can be limited, especially during peak moving months.
Helpful moving resources
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