Best San Francisco to Charleston Movers

How Much Do San Francisco to Charleston Movers Cost?

Moving 2,903 miles from San Francisco, CA to Charleston, SC will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

Pro tip for the cheapest long distance move

Find long distance movers in Charleston that already have a booked job heading from Charleston to San Francisco. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Charleston from San Francisco entirely empty. If you can find a Charleston moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper San Francisco to Charleston moving option

Hire local San Francisco movers for the pickup location at an hourly rate. They can quickly load your moving container. When your container is dropped off at your new home, hire Charleston movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this San Francisco to Charleston move together yourself with at least 3 different companies. Taking on this scheduling responsibility will save you a little money by moving with this strategy.

How we ranked the top San Francisco to Charleston movers

Why you should trust us

We take reviews seriously to protect people just like you! Our team has been crunching data on moving companies since 2010. Our math-based ranking system uses data, manual review, and statistical analysis to help you hire the best San Francisco, CA to Charleston, SC long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

Here's the methodology we used to come up with the best movers for the San Francisco to Charleston moving route:

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 16 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the San Francisco and Charleston areas.

From these 16 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,658 reviews dating all the way back to August 2005.

We also reviewed a total of 5 state and federal moving licenses from these 16 companies and 70 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~4,000 reviews was scored according to our detailed 11-point rating criteria

Reviews are time-weighted so that more recent reviews carry more weight. This helps you understand how a mover is doing today... not 5 years ago. We have 1,015 San Francisco to Charleston moving company data points from the past 2 years that carry more weight.

Bayesian averages calculated to fairly account for the differences between companies that are newer(like OCD Moving Services LLC) vs older more established companies (like Careful Movers).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every San Francisco to Charleston moving company across 11 of the most important criteria for a succesful moving experience.

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.49/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 2,867 reviews

Punctuality

Did the crew show up on-time with the required equipment?

8.44/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,194 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.81/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 545 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.94/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,147 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.04/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 454 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.81/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,333 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.07/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,718 reviews

Will Hire Again

How likely a customer is to hire the same movers again.

8.27/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 2,837 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.47/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,733 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.67/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 278 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.09/10 avg (San Francisco & Charleston combined) from 1,597 reviews

From San Francisco to Charleston: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Mission District in San Francisco & Upper King in Charleston are both known for their local eateries & nightlife
• San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood & Charleston's North Charleston both share industrial lofts & redevelopment
• If you're moving from Noe Valley, check out Mount Pleasant in the Charleston area for the family-friendly suburban vibe
• Do you enjoy Pacific Heights' upscale historic waterfront area? You're sure to love South of Broad
• Move from North Beach to French Quarter and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: tourist-oriented cafes & galleries
• Castro District & Upper King are both known for their vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife
• San Francisco's Marina District neighborhood & Charleston's Mount Pleasant neighborhood both have waterfront dining & boat culture
• If you're moving from Haight-Ashbury, look into Avondale for the bohemian shops & eclectic community
• Do you cherish living in Tenderloin's urban revitalization & mixed-income? Move into North Charleston for something similar
• The similar vibes of Richmond District & West Ashley are both known for leafy residential streets

Pros and Cons of Moving from San Francisco to Charleston

ConsSan Francisco, CA

• High cost of living
• Traffic congestion
• Foggy weather
• Earthquake risk
• Expensive dining

ProsCharleston, SC

• Affordable housing
• Less traffic
• Sunny climate
• Lower natural disaster risk
• Casual dining options

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Charleston, SC

• Less diversity
• Limited tech industry
• Limited public transport
• Fewer landmarks
• Fewer events

San Francisco, CA

• Diverse culture
• Tech opportunities
• Renowned public transport
• Iconic landmarks
• Cultural events

Pros of moving from San Francisco to Charleston

• Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Charleston with less traffic
• Swap the foggy weather of San Francisco for the sunny climate in Charleston
• Get ready for a lower natural disaster risk in Charleston

Cons of moving from San Francisco to Charleston

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in San Francisco to live with less diversity in Charleston
• You'll lose out on the pro of tech opportunities and have to settle for the con of a limited tech industry
• Time to bid farewell to the renowned public transport and get used to limited public transport in Charleston
• Swap iconic landmarks for fewer landmarks

San Francisco vs. Charleston: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from San Francisco to Charleston, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of San Francisco for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of Charleston. And while the locals in San Francisco rave about their flavorful Cioppino and sumptuous Margarita Pizza, Charleston residents know they have tasty She-Crab Soup and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Burrito they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of Charleston. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic San Francisco eateries like Yank Sing, Scoma's, and Tartine Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Charleston, don't wait too long before making your way to Charleston's acclaimed eateries like Hominy Grill, Husk, and Fig.

When comparing lifestyles, Charleston shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than San Francisco. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Charleston compared to what you are used to in San Francisco. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Charleston.

Discover Charleston Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Charleston is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old San Francisco favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Zuni Café, Tartine Bakery, and Nopa in San Francisco, we're sure you'll love The Obstinate Daughter, WildFlour Pastry, and FIG in Charleston. See our Charleston restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished San Francisco hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Swan Oyster Depot, head to The Darling Oyster Bar on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between San Francisco and Charleston

• The Victorian architecture that San Francisco is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Charleston.
• Compared to San Francisco's real estate listings that commonly reference high-tech smart homes, Charleston real estate listings often highlight features like <a href='https://www.charlestonrealestate.com/'>waterfront properties</a>.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away because Charleston is less walkable than San Francisco.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike as Charleston is less bike-friendly than San Francisco.
• Charleston has less of an urban feel than San Francisco.
• Charleston housing costs are 57% less expensive than they are in San Francisco, with a median home price of $550,371 compared to San Francisco’s $1,290,678.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Charleston have increased by 64% compared to a 4% decrease in San Francisco.
• Rent in Charleston is 32.88% more affordable than in San Francisco.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Charleston, SC

1. Mount Pleasant : You’ll love the abundance of parks and walking trails, perfect for enjoying quality time with your pet in a serene coastal environment.
2. West Ashley : Your furry friend will enjoy the spacious yards and proximity to numerous pet-friendly parks and open spaces.
3. North Charleston : You and your pets will appreciate the variety of pet-friendly apartments and the community's ongoing efforts to create welcoming environments for animals.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between San Francisco and Charleston

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from San Francisco to Charleston. Charleston gets 19% fewer sunshine days than San Francisco.
• Charleston has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to San Francisco.
• Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes in San Francisco, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes in Charleston.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Charleston is 22 degrees warmer than in San Francisco.
• The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in San Francisco.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Charleston. Charleston receives 26 more inches of rain compared to San Francisco.

Financial & Community Snapshot: San Francisco and Charleston

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Charleston tend to earn about 39% less than in San Francisco
• The COLI in Charleston is 40% lower than what you are used to living in San Francisco
• The state income tax in SC is 7% compared to 13.3% in CA
• The affluence in Charleston is moderate compared to high in San Francisco
• The poverty level is moderate in Charleston compared to low in San Francisco
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in San Francisco and minimal in Charleston

Political and Religious Climate in San Francisco vs. Charleston

• San Francisco tends to lean Liberal in its political climate
• Charleston, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative-Leaning
• Charleston's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
• San Francisco's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse and less religious

San Francisco vs. Charleston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 44% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Charleston compared to your San Francisco daily drive. That's an annual savings of 10,400 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Charleston to be better than it is in San Francisco.
• Public transit is less readily available in Charleston.