Best Charleston to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Charleston to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 910 miles from Charleston, SC to Chicago, IL 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 Chicago that already have a booked job heading from Chicago to Charleston. Their moving truck would be making the trip back to Chicago from Charleston entirely empty. If you can find a Chicago moving company willing to move your stuff on the return leg, you'll score a real deal!

Moving Containers: A cheaper Charleston to Chicago 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 Chicago movers to unpack the container and move you into your new home. You'll have to piece this Charleston to Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago, IL long distance movers.

Rating Methodology

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

Our original review-based ranking algorithm

We started with a total of 38 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Charleston and Chicago areas.

From these 38 companies, we analyzed a total of 21,200 reviews dating all the way back to February 2007.

We also reviewed a total of 21 state and federal moving licenses from these 38 companies and 192 different 3rd party review and social profiles.

Each of the ~21,000 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 15,416 Charleston to Chicago 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 Charleston to Chicago 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 (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 16,379 reviews

Punctuality

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

8.15/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 6,190 reviews

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

7.67/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 3,618 reviews

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

7.45/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 6,013 reviews

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

6.41/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 3,174 reviews

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

8.78/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 8,834 reviews

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

9.01/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 7,932 reviews

Will Hire Again

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

8.22/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 15,450 reviews

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

8.40/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 8,922 reviews

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

3.97/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 1,931 reviews

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

8.12/10 avg (Charleston & Chicago combined) from 8,249 reviews

From Charleston to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• Historic District in Charleston & The Loop in Chicago are both known for their: tourist hub & historic architecture
• Charleston's South of Broad neighborhood & Chicago's Lincoln Park both share: affluent lakefront & green spaces
• If you're moving from West Ashley, check out Logan Square in the Chicago area for the: residential bungalows & growing dining scene
• Do you enjoy James Island's local shops & tight-knit community? You're sure to love Andersonville
• Move from Daniel Island to West Loop and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: planned mixed-use development & parks
• North Charleston & Pilsen are both known for their: industrial past & arts-driven revival
• Charleston's Mount Pleasant neighborhood & Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood both have: family-friendly environments & strong schools
• If you're moving from Sullivan's Island, look into Edgewater for the: lakeside vibes & quiet residential feel
• Do you cherish living in Isle of Palms' beachfront access & vacation atmosphere? Move into Rogers Park for something similar

Pros and Cons of Moving from Charleston to Chicago

ConsCharleston, SC

• Humidity and heat
• Limited job market
• Hurricane risk
• Less cultural variety

ProsChicago, IL

• Seasonal weather
• Diverse job opportunities
• Less natural disaster risk
• Rich cultural scene

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Chicago, IL

• Busy city pace
• Higher cost of living
• Harsh winters
• High population density

Charleston, SC

• Charming city vibe
• Lower cost of living
• Beautiful beaches
• Less crowded

Pros of moving from Charleston to Chicago

• Say goodbye to humidity and heat and hello to seasonal weather
• Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Chicago with diverse job opportunities
• Swap the hurricane risk of Charleston for less natural disaster risk in Chicago
• Get ready for a rich cultural scene in Chicago

Cons of moving from Charleston to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the charming city vibe in Charleston to live with the busy city pace in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of a higher cost of living
• Time to bid farewell to beautiful beaches and get used to harsh winters in Chicago
• Swap less crowded for high population density

Charleston vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Charleston to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of Charleston for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Charleston rave about their flavorful Shrimp and Grits and sumptuous <a href='https://www.hymanseafood.com/'>Hushpuppies</a>, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches and Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Southern Succotash they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Charleston eateries like Husk, Benne on Eagle, and Fleet Landing. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Giordano's, Alinea, and RPM Italian.

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

Discover Chicago Restaurants You'll Love

Moving to Chicago 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 The Ordinary, Husk, and FIG in Charleston, we're sure you'll love Smyth, Blackbird, and Avec in Chicago. See our Chicago restaurant discovery table below to find the closest comparison restaurant to all of your cherished Charleston hotspots. For example, if you enjoyed dining at Xiao Bao Biscuit, head to Sun Wah BBQ on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Charleston and Chicago

• The Charleston Single House architecture that Charleston is known for will be replaced with the Chicago Bungalow architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Charleston's real estate listings that commonly reference historic charm, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit.
• Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Chicago is more walkable than Charleston.
• Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Chicago is more bike-friendly than Charleston.
• Chicago has more of an urban feel than Charleston.
• Chicago housing costs are 47% less expensive than they are in Charleston, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Charleston’s $550,371.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased by 17% compared to a 64% increase in Charleston.
• Rent in Chicago is 3.67% more affordable than in Charleston.

Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL

1. Lincoln Park : You'll find plenty of green spaces and dog-friendly areas, including the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park.
2. Lakeview : This lively neighborhood offers numerous pet-friendly cafes and shops, along with the spacious Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
3. Logan Square : Known for its welcoming community vibe, you and your furry friends can enjoy multiple pet-friendly parks and a variety of pet-oriented events.

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

• The shades won't be used as much for your move from Charleston to Chicago. Chicago gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Charleston.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Charleston.
• Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in Charleston, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and snowstorms in Chicago.
• Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 5 degrees colder than in Charleston.
• The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in Charleston.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to Charleston.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Charleston and Chicago

• When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Chicago tend to earn about 10% less than in Charleston
• The COLI in Chicago will be 19% higher than what you are used to living in Charleston
• The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 7% in SC
• The affluence in Chicago is high compared to moderate affluence in Charleston
• The poverty level is moderate in Chicago compared to low poverty in Charleston
• In terms of homelessness, it is low in Charleston and moderate in Chicago

Political and Religious Climate in Charleston vs. Chicago

• Charleston tends to lean moderate with a slight conservative leaning in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal and predominantly Democratic
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse with Catholicism, Protestantism, and Judaism being significant
• Charleston's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Christian with a strong presence of Protestant denominations

Charleston vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 52% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Charleston commute. That's 6240 minutes lost each year in a car.
• You can expect traffic in Chicago to be worse than it is in Charleston.
• Public transit is more readily available in Chicago.