Best Chicago to Charleston Movers

How Much Do Chicago to Charleston Movers Cost?

Moving 493 miles from Chicago, IL to Charleston, WV will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,500 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 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, WV 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 33 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Chicago and Charleston areas.

From these 33 companies, we analyzed a total of 20,203 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 21 state and federal moving licenses from these 33 companies and 173 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~20,000 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 15,157 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 Central Van Lines).

Hire Trusted Movers

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.

8.50/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 15,590 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.17/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 5,949 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.61/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 3,524 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.46/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 5,847 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.38/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 3,122 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.81/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 8,469 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.05/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 7,454 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.23/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 14,656 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.46/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 8,466 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.09/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 1,878 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.22/10 avg (Chicago & Charleston combined) from 7,894 reviews

From Chicago to Charleston: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Lincoln Park in Chicago & Morningside in Charleston are both known for their leafy upscale with parks & proximity to water
• Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood & Charleston's East End both share an artsy district with galleries & cafes
• If you're moving from Bucktown, check out Downtown in the Charleston area for the artsy vibe & entertainment options
• Do you enjoy Lakeview's family-friendly residential area? You're sure to love South Hills
• Move from Andersonville to East End and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: community-driven shops & eateries
• Logan Square & Kanawha City are both known for their vibrant culture & diverse dining scene
• Chicago's West Loop neighborhood & Charleston's Downtown neighborhood both have a dining & nightlife hub
• If you're moving from River North, look into Capitol District for the galleries, museums & upscale restaurants
• Do you cherish living in Hyde Park's near university campus & green spaces? Move into South Hills for something similar
• The similar vibes of Gold Coast & Morningside are both known for historic mansions & an affluent neighborhood

Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Charleston

ConsChicago, IL

• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic congestion
• Harsh winter weather
• Noise pollution

ProsCharleston, WV

• More affordable housing
• Less traffic
• Milder winters
• Quieter environment

---

Charleston, WV

• Fewer cultural attractions
• Limited cuisine variety
• Less public transport
• Fewer job opportunities

Chicago, IL

• Vibrant cultural scene
• Diverse dining options
• Abundant public transport
• Wide job market

Pros of moving from Chicago to Charleston

• Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
• Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Charleston with less traffic
• Swap the harsh winter weather of Chicago for milder winters in Charleston
• Get ready for a quieter environment in Charleston

Cons of moving from Chicago to Charleston

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant cultural scene in Chicago to live with fewer cultural attractions in Charleston
• You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of limited cuisine variety
• Time to bid farewell to abundant public transport and get used to less public transport in Charleston
• Swap a wide job market for fewer job opportunities

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 Biscuits and gravy 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 Country ham and Fried green tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Portobello burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Stuffed bell peppers of Charleston. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Chicago eateries like Giordano's, Alinea, and Hot Doug's. After the boxes are unpacked in Charleston, don't wait too long before making your way to Charleston's acclaimed eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Bluegrass Kitchen.

When comparing lifestyles, Charleston shows less 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 The Block, Pies & Pints, and Bluegrass Kitchen 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 Dem 2 Brothers & A Grill on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Chicago and Charleston

• The Modern and Historical architecture that Chicago is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Brick architecture typical of Charleston.
• Compared to Chicago's real estate listings that commonly reference park proximity, Charleston real estate listings often highlight features like large yards.
• You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Charleston is less walkable than Chicago.
• You might want to think twice before moving your bike since Charleston is less bike-friendly than Chicago.
• Charleston has less of an urban feel than Chicago.
• Charleston housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in Chicago with a median home price of $148,707 compared to Chicago’s $289,909.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Charleston have increased by 30% compared to a 17% increase in Chicago.
• Rent in Charleston is 51.83% more affordable than in Chicago.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Charleston, WV

1. Kanawha City : You and your pet will love the ample park space and numerous pet-friendly amenities around every corner.
2. South Hills : This neighborhood offers convenient access to trails and lush green spaces that are perfect for long walks with your furry friend.
3. East End : Known for its vibrant community and pet-friendly businesses, you and your pet will feel right at home here.

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 similar average UV index compared to Chicago.
• Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and snowstorms in Chicago, but be on the lookout for potential flooding and tornadoes in Charleston.
• The average summer high temperature in Charleston is 2 degrees warmer than in Chicago.
• The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Chicago.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Charleston as it receives 4.9 more inches of rain compared to Chicago.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Chicago and Charleston

• The affluence in is compared to in .
• The poverty level is in compared to in .
• In terms of homelessness, it is in and in .

Political and Religious Climate in Chicago vs. Charleston

• Chicago tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
• Charleston, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Republican
• Charleston's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
• Chicago's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with many non-religious

Chicago vs. Charleston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Woohoo! Expect to spend about 43% less time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Charleston compared to your Chicago daily drive. That's an annual savings of 7,800 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.