Best Raleigh to Charleston Movers

How Much Do Raleigh to Charleston Movers Cost?

Moving 278 miles from Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 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 Raleigh. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Charleston from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Charleston moving option

Hire local Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 28 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Raleigh and Charleston areas.

From these 28 companies, we analyzed a total of 8,604 reviews dating all the way back to November 2009.

We also reviewed a total of 12 state and federal moving licenses from these 28 companies and 139 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~8,000 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 2,763 Raleigh 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 Athens Moving Experts) vs older more established companies (like Smooth Move Charleston).

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The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

Our 11-point rating criteria scores every Raleigh 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.

8.80/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 5,683 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.55/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 1,898 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.00/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 937 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.94/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 1,938 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.05/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 681 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.97/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 2,219 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.23/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 3,367 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.56/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 5,743 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.69/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 3,632 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

4.52/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 520 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.45/10 avg (Raleigh & Charleston combined) from 2,996 reviews

From Raleigh to Charleston: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown in Raleigh & Historic District in Charleston are both known for their urban core & historic architecture
• Raleigh's North Hills neighborhood & Charleston's Mount Pleasant both share a mixed‐use hub with retail & offices
• If you're moving from Glenwood South, check out King Street in the Charleston area for local eateries & bustling nightlife
• Do you enjoy Warehouse District's arts district with galleries & breweries? You're sure to love Cannonborough/Elliotborough
• Move from Five Points to Avondale and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: walkable local shops & eclectic vibe
• Cameron Village & Old Village are both known for their boutiques, cafés & riverfront parks
• Raleigh's Mordecai neighborhood & Charleston's Wagener Terrace neighborhood both have historic homes on tree‐lined streets
• If you're moving from Hayes Barton, look into South of Broad for the upscale historic district & grand homes
• Do you cherish living in Oakwood's charming historic townhouses & narrow streets? Move into Ansonborough for something similar
• The similar vibes of Brier Creek & Daniel Island are both known for their planned suburban community & parks

Pros and Cons of Moving from Raleigh to Charleston

ConsRaleigh, NC

• High property taxes
• Traffic congestion
• Lack of coastal access
• Colder winters
• Limited seaside restaurants

ProsCharleston, SC

• Lower property taxes
• More relaxed pace
• Beach proximity
• Mild winters
• Abundant seafood eateries

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Charleston, SC

• Fewer tech opportunities
• Fewer college options
• Less diverse music events
• Fewer urban parks
• Less diversity

Raleigh, NC

• Tech industry jobs
• Top-rated universities
• Thriving music scene
• Multiple city parks
• Diverse cultures

Pros of moving from Raleigh to Charleston

• Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
• Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Charleston with a more relaxed pace
• Swap the lack of coastal access of Raleigh for the beach proximity in Charleston
• Get ready for mild winters in Charleston

Cons of moving from Raleigh to Charleston

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from tech industry jobs in Raleigh to live with fewer tech opportunities in Charleston
• You'll lose out on the pro of top-rated universities and have to settle for the con of fewer college options
• Time to bid farewell to the thriving music scene and get used to less diverse music events in Charleston
• Swap multiple city parks for fewer urban parks

Raleigh vs. Charleston: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Raleigh to Charleston, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue of Raleigh for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of Charleston. And while the locals in Raleigh rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Charleston residents know they have tasty She-Crab Soup and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cakes of Charleston. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Raleigh eateries like Angus Barn, The Pit, and Death and Taxes. After the boxes are unpacked in Charleston, don't wait too long before making your way to Charleston's acclaimed eateries like Hank's Seafood Restaurant, Husk, and 82 Queen.

When comparing lifestyles, Charleston shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Raleigh. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Charleston compared to what you are used to in Raleigh. Also, the overall foodie scene is more 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 Raleigh favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Poole's Diner, Beasley's Chicken & Honey, and Crawford and Son in Raleigh, we're sure you'll love Husk, Boxcar Betty's, and FIG in Charleston. See our Charleston restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Raleigh hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Bida Manda, head to R. Kitchen on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Raleigh and Charleston

• The Colonial architecture that Raleigh is known for will be replaced with the Georgian architecture typical of Charleston.
• Compared to Raleigh's real estate listings that commonly reference smart homes and suburban yards, Charleston real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and water views.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Charleston is more walkable than Raleigh.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Charleston is more bike-friendly than Raleigh.
• Charleston has more of an urban feel than Raleigh.
• Charleston housing costs are 24% more expensive than those in Raleigh, with a median home price of $550,371 compared to Raleigh’s $442,852.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Charleston have increased by 64% compared to a 56% increase in Raleigh.
• Rent in Charleston is 32.23% more expensive than in Raleigh.

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 Raleigh and Charleston

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Raleigh to Charleston. Charleston gets 8% more sunshine days than Raleigh.
• Charleston has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Raleigh.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Raleigh, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Charleston.
• The average summer high temperature in Charleston is 2 degrees warmer than in Raleigh.
• The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Raleigh.
• Your umbrella might be more overworked in Charleston, as Charleston receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Raleigh.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Raleigh and Charleston

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Charleston tend to earn about 1% less than in Raleigh
• The COLI in Charleston is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Raleigh
• The state income tax in SC is 7 compared to 5.25 in NC
• The affluence in Charleston is moderate compared to high in Raleigh
• The poverty level is moderate in Charleston compared to low in Raleigh
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Raleigh and moderate in Charleston

Political and Religious Climate in Raleigh vs. Charleston

• Raleigh tends to lean moderate to liberal in its political climate
• Charleston, on the other hand, is often described as conservative leaning
• Charleston's religious environment can be described as having a strong Christian influence
• Raleigh's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with various denominations

Raleigh vs. Charleston Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 8% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Charleston compared to your Raleigh commute. That's 1040 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Charleston to be worse than it is in Raleigh.
• Public transit is less readily available in Charleston.