The best local movers for Charleston to Richmond moves
It’s not always easy to find a reliable local moving company in Charleston that also handles long-distance moves to Richmond. 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 Richmond.
- 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 Richmond?
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 | $948 – $2,899 | $624 – $1,377 | $314 – $555 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,677 – $4,864 | $1,088 – $2,153 | $352 – $677 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,533 – $6,221 | $1,510 – $2,678 | $422 – $817 |
Cost to hire movers from Charleston to Richmond
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Charleston to Richmond will cost between $948 and $2,899. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Charleston to Charleston will range from $1,677 to $4,864, and a large move from Charleston to Richmond will cost from $2,533 to $6,221.
Cost of moving containers from Charleston to Richmond
If you’re moving from Charleston to Richmond, expect to pay between $624 and $1,377 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,088 up to $2,153. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,510 and $2,678. 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 Richmond
Renting a moving truck from Charleston to Richmond 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 $314 and $555. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $352 and $677. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You’re likely looking at anywhere from $422 up to $817 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Richmond
The cost of Charleston movers will depend on:
- The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,248, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $5,300.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Charleston, which means higher prices.
- The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($314–$731) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.
What to know before moving from Charleston to Richmond
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Richmond runs about 47% higher for singles and 38% higher for families than Charleston.
Singles spend around $2,270 in Charleston versus $1,549 in Charleston; families pay $5,336 compared with $3,862.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Charleston | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $933 | $1,537 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $1,800 | $2,539 |
| Average home value | $153,672 | $350,897 |
| Average income (per capita) | $59,354 | $59,606 |
| Cost of living (single) | $1,549 | $2,270 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $3,862 | $5,336 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2% | 7.1% |
| Sales tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| State income tax | 6.5% | 5.75% |
- Rent is estimated to be 82% higher in Richmond compared to Charleston; it’s essential to account for this in your budget planning.
- Prepare for increased mortgage costs as home prices are roughly 128% greater in Richmond than in Charleston.
- Fortunately, the average income in Richmond and Charleston is quite close, within a 5% range, so financial stability is likely.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Richmond, since the cost of living for a single person in Richmond is 47% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- When relocating to Richmond, it’s important to be aware that living expenses may rise. The cost of living for a family in Richmond is 38% greater than in Charleston.
- In Richmond, the unemployment rate is approximately 15% higher than in Charleston, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
- Sales taxes drop 14% in Richmond compared to Charleston, providing a relief on your cost of living, especially for frequent shoppers.
- Income taxes are 12% less in Virginia 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 Richmond:
| Living Expense | Charleston | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $128.95 | $148.21 |
| Cell phone plan | $45.33 | $51.67 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.26 | $4.95 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.20 | $3.66 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $31.00 | $59.72 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Charleston than in Richmond, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Charleston than in Richmond.
- Eggs are less expensive in Charleston than in Richmond.
- Bread costs less in Charleston than in Richmond.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Charleston than in Richmond.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Charleston than in Richmond.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Charleston than in Richmond.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Richmond
| Charleston | Richmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,018 | 226,610 |
| Transportation score | 2 | 7 |
| Walkability score | 33 | 51 |
| Bike friendliness score | 28 | 51 |
| Crime index | 53.94 | 48.45 |
| Safety index | 46.06 | 51.55 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Richmond’s population is about 372% greater than Charleston.
- Richmond’s public transportation score of 7 out of 10 is higher than Charleston’s score of 2.
- Richmond is more walkable than Charleston with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Charleston’s 33 out of 100.
- With a score of 51 out of 100, Richmond 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.
- Richmond’s crime rate is lower than Charleston with a score of 48.45 compared to Charleston’s 53.94. This means that Richmond neighborhoods are safer than 48.45% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Charleston neighborhoods are safer than 53.94%.
- Richmond is considered to be safer than Charleston with a safety index of 51.55 vs Charleston’s 46.06.
- Air quality in Richmond is Good, and in Charleston it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Charleston to Richmond 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
- State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Virginia 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 Richmond. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It’s essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
- Moving checklist: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.
Where to live in Richmond
Now that you’ve decided to make the move to Capital of the South, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Richmond.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Monroe Ward
- The Fan District
- The Museum District
- Woodland Heights
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bellevue
- Byrd Park
- Museum District
- Three Chopt
- Westover Hills
Things to do in Richmond
Once you’re settled into your new home in Virginia, it’s time to get out and discover what Richmond has to offer. No matter your interests, there’s something for everyone here:
- Arts and culture: You’ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Richmond, such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, White House of the Confederacy, Science Museum of Virginia, and Edgar Allan Poe Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The city’s Belle Isle, Libby Hill Park, Pony Pasture Park (James River Park System), and Capitol Square 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 Richmond Kickers (USL League One)Richmond Flying Squirrels (Double-A East) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Charleston to Richmond?
The best time to move from Charleston to Richmond 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 Richmond?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Charleston to Richmond, 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 Richmond take?
Moving from Charleston, WV to Richmond, covers 316 miles and usually takes one to four 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 Richmond.
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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