Best Charleston to Chicago Movers

How Much Do Charleston to Chicago Movers Cost?

Moving 493 miles from Charleston, WV to Chicago, IL 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 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, WV 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 33 companies that offer interstate moving services in both the Charleston and Chicago 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 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 Central Van Lines).

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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 15,590 reviews

Punctuality

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

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

Affordability

How affordable was the moving service?

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

Communication

Responsiveness before, during, and after the move.

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

Stick to Prices

Was the final price consistent with the original quote?

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

Speed

Efficiency without taking unnecessary time to increase costs.

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

Friendliness

Was the moving crew cordial and friendly on moving day?

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

Will Hire Again

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

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

Professionalism

Did the moving crew behave professionally on moving day?

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

Conflict Handling

How well the company responds to accidents and issues.

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

Precision & Care

Were walls scratched? Did furniture get damaged or lost?

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

From Charleston to Chicago: Comparable Neighborhoods at a Glance

• South Hills in Charleston & Lincoln Square in Chicago are both known for their quiet, family-friendly, tree-lined streets
• Charleston's Kanawha City neighborhood & Chicago's Logan Square both share mixed residential & local eateries
• If you're moving from North Charleston, check out Bridgeport in the Chicago area for the established working-class, brick homes
• Do you enjoy East End's historic architecture & cultural institutions? You're sure to love Hyde Park
• Move from West Side to Garfield Park and continue to enjoy these neighborhood qualities: diverse community & tight-knit vibe
• Ridgeview & Edgewater are both known for their residential, scenic views & parks
• Charleston's Elkview neighborhood & Chicago's Beverly neighborhood both have a suburban feel with large lots & hillside
• If you're moving from Edgewood, look into Logan Square for the historic bungalows & tree-lined boulevards

Pros and Cons of Moving from Charleston to Chicago

ConsCharleston, WV

• Limited job market
• Small airport
• Fewer cultural events
• Limited public transit

ProsChicago, IL

• Diverse job opportunities
• Major international hub
• Vibrant cultural scene
• Comprehensive transit system

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Chicago, IL

• Higher living expenses
• Busy urban life
• Anonymity
• Concrete jungle

Charleston, WV

• Low cost of living
• Small-town charm
• Community feel
• Access to nature

Pros of moving from Charleston to Chicago

• Say goodbye to the limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
• Look forward to moving away from the small airport and moving to Chicago with a major international hub
• Swap the fewer cultural events of Charleston for a vibrant cultural scene in Chicago
• Get ready for a comprehensive transit system in Chicago

Cons of moving from Charleston to Chicago

• Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Charleston to live with the higher living expenses in Chicago
• You'll lose out on the pro of small-town charm and have to settle for the con of busy urban life
• Time to bid farewell to the community feel and get used to the anonymity in Chicago
• Swap access to nature for the concrete jungle

Charleston vs. Chicago: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

If you're moving from Charleston to Chicago, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of Charleston for the equally delicious Deep-dish Pizza of Chicago. And while the locals in Charleston rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Hot Dogs, Chicago residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Stuffed Vegan Pizza of Chicago. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Charleston eateries like Pies & Pints, Tricky Fish, and Bluegrass Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Chicago, don't wait too long before making your way to Chicago's acclaimed eateries like Giordano's, Al's Beef, and Portillo's.

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 1010 Bridge, Bluegrass Kitchen, and Laury's Restaurant in Charleston, we're sure you'll love Girl & the Goat, Longman & Eagle, and Oriole 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 Pies & Pints, head to Piece Brewery and Pizzeria on your first Friday night after the boxes are unpacked.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Charleston and Chicago

• The Colonial architecture that Charleston is known for will be replaced with the Victorian architecture typical of Chicago.
• Compared to Charleston's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and fireplaces, Chicago real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to downtown and modern amenities.
• 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 95% more expensive than in Charleston, with a median home price of $289,909 compared to Charleston’s $148,707.
• Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Chicago have increased 17% compared to a 30% increase in Charleston.
• Rent in Chicago is 107.62% more expensive 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

• Break out the sunglasses for your move from Charleston to Chicago. Chicago gets 12% more sunshine days than Charleston.
• Chicago has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Charleston.
• Say goodbye to the possible flooding and tornadoes in Charleston, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Chicago.
• The average summer high temperature in Chicago is 1 degree cooler than in Charleston.
• The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Charleston.
• Your umbrella might be neglected in Chicago. Chicago receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Charleston.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Charleston and Chicago

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Political and Religious Climate in Charleston vs. Chicago

• Charleston tends to lean mixed in its political climate
• Chicago, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal
• Chicago's religious environment can be described as diverse
• Charleston's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian Dominant

Charleston vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations

• Bummer! Looks like you might end up spending about 75% more time stuck in traffic commuting to work in Chicago compared to your Charleston commute. That's 7800 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.