Best Charleston to Oakland Movers

How Much Do Charleston to Oakland Movers Cost?

Moving 2,895 miles from Charleston, SC to Oakland, CA will typically cost between $4,000 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 Oakland that already have a booked job heading from Oakland to Charleston. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Oakland from Charleston entirely empty. If you can find a Oakland moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Charleston to Oakland moving option

Hire local Charleston 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 Oakland movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Charleston to Oakland 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 Charleston to Oakland 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 Charleston, SC to Oakland, CA long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 17 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Charleston and Oakland areas.

From these 17 companies, we analyzed a total of 4,712 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 6 state and federal moving licenses from these 17 companies and 78 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 949 Charleston to Oakland 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 Smooth Move Charleston).

Hire Trusted Movers

The Great Guys Moving 11-Point Rating Breakdown

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

Quality

Overall quality of the service provided on moving day.

8.72/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 2,889 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.43/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,079 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

8.05/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 551 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.70/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,204 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

7.08/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 468 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.85/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,244 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.17/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,768 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.33/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 2,877 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.64/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,795 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.93/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 311 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.05/10 avg (Charleston & Oakland combined) from 1,535 reviews

From Charleston to Oakland: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Downtown Charleston in Charleston & Uptown in Oakland are both known for their: waterfront core with nightlife & historic sites
• Charleston's South of Broad neighborhood & Oakland's Grand Lake both share: affluent historic homes near waterfront park
• If you're moving from Cannonborough/Elliotborough, check out Temescal in the Oakland area for the: trendy arts district with eateries & shops
• Do you enjoy Wagener Terrace's quiet residential area close to downtown? You're sure to love Adams Point
• Move from Avondale to Fruitvale and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: diverse dining scene with local bars
• Park Circle & Montclair are both known for their: family-friendly suburb with parks & schools
• Charleston's North Central neighborhood & Oakland's West Oakland neighborhood both have: working-class areas experiencing growth

Pros and Cons of Moving from Charleston to Oakland

ConsCharleston, SC

• High humidity
• Limited public transport
• Hurricane risk
• Fewer tech jobs

ProsOakland, CA

• Milder climate
• Extensive transit options
• Earthquake precautions
• Tech industry hub

---

Oakland, CA

• High cost of living
• Heavy traffic
• Higher crime rates
• Expensive housing

Charleston, SC

• Historic charm
• Coastal beauty
• Warm community feel
• Lower housing costs

Pros of moving from Charleston to Oakland

• Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to milder climate
• Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Oakland with extensive transit options
• Swap the hurricane risk of Charleston for earthquake precautions in Oakland
• Get ready for the tech industry hub in Oakland

Cons of moving from Charleston to Oakland

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from historic charm in Charleston to live with the high cost of living in Oakland
• You'll lose out on the pro of coastal beauty and have to settle for the con of heavy traffic
• Time to bid farewell to the warm community feel and get used to higher crime rates in Oakland
• Swap lower housing costs for expensive housing

Charleston vs. Oakland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Charleston to Oakland, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of Charleston for the equally delicious Sourdough Bread of Oakland. And while the locals in Charleston rave about their flavorful She-Crab Soup and sumptuous Fried Green Tomatoes, Oakland residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Okra they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burritos of Oakland. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Charleston eateries like Husk, FIG, and The Ordinary. After the boxes are unpacked in Oakland, don't wait too long before making your way to Oakland's acclaimed eateries like Commis, Bakesale Betty, and Lake Chalet.

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

Discover Oakland Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Oakland is an opportunity to try lots of new restaurants. Sure, you'll miss your old Charleston favorites, but we've got you covered. If you loved Fig, Husk, and Leon’s Oyster Shop in Charleston, we're sure you'll love Commis, Chez Panisse Cafe, and Southie in Oakland. See our Oakland restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Charleston hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Bertha’s Kitchen, head to Brown Sugar Kitchen on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Charleston and Oakland

• The Colonial and Georgian architecture that Charleston is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Victorian architecture typical of Oakland.
• Compared to Charleston's real estate listings that commonly reference historic charm and proximity to beaches, Oakland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to tech hubs and cultural diversity.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Oakland is more walkable than Charleston.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Oakland is more bike-friendly than Charleston.
• Oakland has more of an urban feel than Charleston.
• Oakland housing costs are 46% more expensive than they are in Charleston, with a median home price of $803,291 compared to Charleston’s $550,371.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oakland have increased by 7% compared to a 64% increase in Charleston.
• Rent in Oakland is 13.28% more expensive than in Charleston.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA

1. Rockridge : You’ll love the abundance of pet-friendly cafes and the scenic trails at nearby Lake Temescal for your daily walks.
2. Grand Lake : This vibrant neighborhood offers easy access to pet-welcoming parks and local markets where you can bring your furry friends.
3. Piedmont Avenue : Enjoy a welcoming community with plenty of pet-friendly establishments and beautiful tree-lined streets for leisurely strolls.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Charleston and Oakland

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Charleston to Oakland. Oakland gets 13% more sunshine days than Charleston.
• Oakland has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Charleston.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Charleston, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Oakland.
• Get ready for colder summers; the average summer high temperature in Oakland is 16 degrees colder than in Charleston.
• The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Charleston.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Oakland, as Oakland receives 24 fewer inches of rain compared to Charleston.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Charleston and Oakland

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oakland tend to earn about 11% more than in Charleston
• The COLI in Oakland is 42% higher than what you are used to living in Charleston
• The state income tax in CA is 13.3% compared to 7% in SC
• The affluence in Oakland is high compared to moderate in Charleston
• The poverty level is significant in Oakland compared to moderate in Charleston
• In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Charleston and severe in Oakland

Political and Religious Climate in Charleston vs. Oakland

• Charleston tends to lean conservative in its political climate
• Oakland, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
• Oakland's religious environment can be described as having diverse religious affiliations
• Charleston's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian

Charleston vs. Oakland Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 40% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Oakland compared to your commute in Charleston. That's 5,200 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Oakland to be worse than it is in Charleston.
• Public transit is more readily available in Oakland.