Best Chicago to Charleston Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Charleston Movers Cost?

Moving 911 miles from Chicago, IL to Charleston, SC will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 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 Chicago. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Charleston from Chicago 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 Chicago to Charleston moving option

Hire local Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago, IL to Charleston, SC long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 40 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Charleston areas.

From these 40 companies, we analyzed a total of 24,420 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 23 state and federal moving licenses from these 40 companies and 204 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~24,000 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 18,559 Chicago 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 606 Movers, Inc.) vs older more established companies (like Move-tastic!).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Chicago 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.

8.52/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 19,166 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.18/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 7,094 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.66/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 4,078 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.48/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 6,788 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.36/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 3,615 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.80/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 10,188 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.04/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 9,438 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.25/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 18,010 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.43/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 10,408 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.95/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 2,262 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.13/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 9,503 reviews

From Chicago to Charleston: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Daniel Island in Charleston are both known for their affluent island living with waterfront parks
• Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood & Charleston's Daniel Island both share lakefront vibes & outdoor recreation
• If you're moving from Wicker Park, check out Historic District in the Charleston area for the artsy scene & nightlife
• Do you enjoy Bucktown's boutiques & dining scene? You're sure to love Historic District
• Move from River North to Cannonborough/Elliotborough and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: gallery district & nightlife
• West Loop & Upper King are both known for their converted warehouses & trendy restaurants
• Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood & Charleston's Mount Pleasant neighborhood both have suburban community & local shops
• If you're moving from Logan Square, look into West Ashley for the neighborhood parks & breweries
• Do you cherish living in Ukrainian Village's historic homes & family parks? Move into West Ashley for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Charleston

ConsChicago, IL

• Harsh winters
• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic
• Dense urban environment
• Limited access to beaches

ProsCharleston, SC

• Milder winters
• Lower cost of living
• Relaxed pace
• Coastal lifestyle
• Nearby beaches

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Charleston, SC

• Fewer culinary options
• More laid-back environment
• Less public transit
• Limited museums
• Fewer diversity in neighborhoods

Chicago, IL

• Renowned dining scene
• Vibrant culture
• Robust public transit
• World-class museums
• Diverse neighborhoods

Pros of moving from Chicago to Charleston

• Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
• Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Charleston with the lower cost of living
• Swap the heavy traffic of Chicago for a relaxed pace in Charleston
• Get ready for a coastal lifestyle in Charleston

Cons of moving from Chicago to Charleston

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the renowned dining scene in Chicago to live with fewer culinary options in Charleston
• You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant culture and have to settle with the con of a more laid-back environment
• Time to bid farewell to robust public transit and get used to less public transit in Charleston
• Swap world-class museums for limited museums

Chicago vs. Charleston: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Chicago to Charleston, you will be trading the iconic Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of Charleston. And while the locals in Chicago rave about their flavorful Italian Beef Sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Charleston residents know they have tasty She-Crab Soup and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Stuffed Bell Peppers they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Stew of Charleston. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse, Alinea, and Girl and the Goat. After the boxes are unpacked in Charleston, don't wait too long before making your way to Charleston's acclaimed eateries like Husk, Halls Chophouse, and FIG.

When comparing lifestyles, Charleston shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Chicago. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Charleston compared to what you are used to in Chicago. 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 Chicago favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Alinea, Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, and Girl & the Goat in Chicago, we're sure you'll love Husk, Monza, and The Darling Oyster Bar in Charleston. See our Charleston restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Chicago hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Portillo's, head to Jack's Cosmic Dogs on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Charleston

• The Chicago School architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Charleston Single House architecture typical of Charleston.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference loft style apartments, Charleston real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away since Charleston is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Charleston is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Charleston has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Charleston housing costs are 90% more expensive than they are in Chicago, with a median home price of $550,371 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Charleston have increased by 64% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Charleston is 3.81% more expensive than in Chicago.

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 Chicago and Charleston

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Chicago to Charleston. Charleston gets 11% more sunshine days than Chicago.
• Charleston has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes in Charleston.
• Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Charleston is 4 degrees warmer than that in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than those in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Charleston, as Charleston receives 10 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Charleston

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Charleston tend to earn about 11% more than in Chicago
• The COLI in Charleston is 16% lower than what you are used to living in Chicago
• Hooray, moving to SC means you'll no longer have state income taxes
• The affluence in Charleston is growing compared to moderate affluence in Chicago
• The poverty level is moderate in Charleston compared to noticeable poverty in Chicago
• In terms of homelessness, it is significant in Chicago and low in Charleston

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Charleston

• Chicago tends to lean predominantly Democratic in its political climate
• Charleston, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
• Charleston's religious environment can be described as prominently Christian
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape

Chicago vs. Charleston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 29% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Charleston compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 5,200 minutes freely earned!
• You can expect traffic in Charleston to be better than it is in Chicago.
• Public transit is less readily available in Charleston.