For the last few years, inflation and several other factors have been driving people to move to other places. Naturally, those who are thinking of relocating tend to look for places that are more affordable than their current location.
This is especially true for the residents of Washington State, which is considered one of the most expensive places to live in the entire country. If you live in Seattle, we know exactly what we are talking about. The Emerald City is an incredible place — but it’s not so nice when you live there and don’t get the best for your buck.
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- A few years ago, Charleston was not the first option when people thought of relocating. Now, the city is welcoming an ever-growing number of new residents each year.
- The Arthur Ravenel Bridge in Charleston.
With that in mind, it’s not hard to understand why so many people are leaving behind life in the big metro cities on both the West and East Coasts. Why spend so much on living expenses when you can lead a great lifestyle and save much more money if you move to the South?
Charleston, South Carolina is a lovely city and it is certainly not a small city at all, hence why most new residents have no problem getting settled in, regardless of where they come from. The distance between Seattle and Charleston is almost 3000 miles, so you’ll be moving all the way across the country.
- Seattle is one of the best cities in the country, but it is also one of the most expensive. If you want to save money, one of your best options is to leave the city.
- Distant view of Downtown Seattle and the Space Needle.
Considering this significant distance, you have to start preparing for the relocation right away, even if you won’t be actually moving until months from now. In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to learn about moving from Seattle, Washington to Charleston, South Carolina.
Contents:
Why Do People Relocate From Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
In general, the Southern states are becoming steadily more popular destinations for those who looking into moving out of the large metro areas. And since crazy things started happening in the world in 2020, the idea of relocating earned a whole new meaning. Now, people are moving just because they’re no longer tied to a specific place (hello, home office!).
Here are some of the top reasons people are moving from Seattle to Charleston:
- The weather
- Can you imagine not having to deal with the brutal Washington State winters anymore? That, alone, is enough reason to make people to Charleston, where they get to enjoy hot summers and lovely beaches.
- The housing costs
- One of the top advantages of moving from Seattle to Charleston is that you won’t have to spend as much money on housing (and living expenses). This is a great reason to move, right?
- The taxes
- South Carolina is a tax-friendly state, so you’ll definitely pay lesser tax money here. And if you are retired or about to retire, the even better news is that you won’t pay taxes for your Social Security benefits if you move to Charleston!
What Type of Mover Should I Hire to Relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
Before you find yourself a mover, it’s important that you understand that there are different types of movers and that you can’t just hire the first one you see so you can relocate to South Carolina as soon as possible. Considering the distance between Seattle and Charleston, you’ll need a very specific type of mover.
- When it’s time to choose a moving company, you can’t hire just any mover. You need to find a very specific type of moving company to relocate from Seattle to Charleston.
- Charleston’s Rainbow Row during the day.
And we’re not even talking about the different types of services that movers can offer. We’re actually talking about the fact that not every moving company is licensed to perform every kind of move, as you’ll see below. Here’s how to hire movers from Seattle to Charleston.
Local Movers
Let’s imagine that a family is moving from Olympic Hills (in Seattle) to Georgetown (also in Seattle). These are two different neighborhoods located within the same city. Even if you have to cross a bridge to get from one point to another, this is a local move.
As such, this family will need a local mover. They are movers that can help them relocate between areas within the same city (or same state, in some cases). Local movers help you because there’s not a great distance between the areas you’re moving from and to. But that’s not always the case.
Long-Distance Movers
Let’s say that, instead of moving to another neighborhood in Seattle, this family was looking into moving from Washington to California. These states are not neighbor states nor are they as close as Washington and Oregon, for instance, so you can’t rely on local or even interstate movers.
For this type of move, you would need to hire a long-distance mover. While each company establishes the distance that they consider “long-distance”, we usually consider every move over a hundred miles. But there’s also a limit to this distance, as we’ll explain below.
Cross-Country Movers
We can consider that moving to a city that is 100 miles away from your current address is a long-distance move — but we can’t say the same for a place that is 3000 miles away, as in the case of Charleston.
When you move from Seattle to Charleston, you are literally moving from one side of the country to the other — and that is what we call a cross-country move. As such, you will need to hire a cross-country mover.
Should I Hire a Moving Broker to Relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
If we are being totally honest, we have to admit that there are more moving companies out there than one is able to count. Because of that, it’s not unusual for people to find it quite overwhelming to find just one ideal mover when there are so many companies.
- If you don’t feel like taking the time to find the best mover, you can always hire a third party to do this task for you. Keep your budget in mind, though.
- A moving box on top of a shelf.
Instead of worrying needlessly, you can hire a moving broker to help relocate from Seattle Washington to Charleston, South Carolina. These professionals are specialists in finding the ideal mover based on a client’s needs and budget, and they’ll certainly help you find a moving company to move to Charleston.
The only downside of hiring a moving broker is that you’ll be adding an extra expense to your moving budget. Other than that, this is the best option if you don’t feel confident enough to find a reliable and trustworthy mover on your own.
How Much Does It Cost to Move From Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
If you don’t plan ahead of moving, you’ll probably end up spending way more money than you have to. Not preparing for your relocation could possibly cause you to throw your hard-earned money away when you could have actually saved on the way.
There are lots of things that go into the costs of relocating. For instance, some factors include the number of bedrooms in your home because that will give the mover an estimate of how much furniture you have, and then they’ll give you a ballpark estimate. On top of that, the costs of moving will also be affected by any “special” items that you own, such as art pieces and things like that.
Below we’ll introduce you to three different types of relocation that you can choose from. You can decide which type suits you best based on the pros and cons, but also on the costs of each of these moving types. Here is all you have to know about how much it costs to move from Seattle, Washington to Charleston, South Carolina.
Hiring a full-service moving company
A full-service moving company is the type of mover that can assist you with all things moving. Don’t want to pack your things? Your full-service mover can do that for you. Don’t know how to pack fragile items? You can hire a full-service moving company to do that for you.
- Moving across the country is not cheap, but it doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank in the process. Consider all moving options that you have before making any decisions and/or investments.
- Two friends standing between moving boxes.
As you can already tell, this type of moving company offers a lot of services. However, you can probably also tell that it’s not cheap to hire them. Full-service movers will help with basically everything, but their rates are relatively high.
Here are the estimated moving costs of hiring a full-service moving company to relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC.
- Studio/1 Bedroom: $4731 – $7885
- 2-3 Bedrooms: $6156 – $10260
- 4+ Bedrooms: $6868 – $11447
- Office-Commercial Moving: $6912 – $13758
Renting a DIY moving truck
When you rent a DIY moving truck, you take charge of the moving process without needing to get a professional involved. You will be in charge of packing and loading the moving truck, as well as driving it across the country to your new address in Charleston.
The main disadvantage of renting a moving truck is that you have to pay for everything. And we mean, everything. You will have to pay not only for moving insurance but also for gasoline and any repairs if anything happens to the truck.
Here are the estimated moving costs of renting a DIY moving truck to relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC. Note that these estimates don’t include additional expenses (gas, repairs, insurance, et cetera).
- Studio/1 Bedroom: starting at $2300
- 2-3 Bedrooms: starting at $3500
- 4+ Bedrooms: starting at $5000
- Office-Commercial Moving: starting at $5200
Renting a moving container
Another option is to rent a moving container. While not all companies offer this type of service, you can contact companies like PODS.
When you rent a moving container, all you have to do is pack your items and load them into the container. You don’t have to worry about driving or paying. The only hard work you’ll have to do is loading the container within the timeframe you get.
Here are the estimated moving costs of renting a moving container to relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC.
- Studio/1 Bedroom: starting at $3800
- 2-3 Bedrooms: starting at $4200
- 4+ Bedrooms: starting at $4500
- Office-Commercial Moving: starting at $4700
Best Moving Companies to Help Relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC
As we said, there are so many moving companies out there that you are likely to have a hard time finding the right one. There are lots of factors you need to take into account, from their rates to the services their offer to their reputation.
While you can always hire a moving broker to help in the decision-making process, you are also free to choose a mover on your own. Below, we’ll mention three of the best moving companies to help relocate from Seattle to Charleston.
Gentle Giant Moving
Gentle Giant Moving is a Seattle-based moving company that can help you relocate anywhere in the country. Even if you were simply moving to another neighborhood in Seattle, you’d be able to hire their services.
On top of helping with cross-country relocation, Gentle Giant moving offers a wide range of moving services. Whether you need piano transportation or you need to move your stuff out of an apartment, you can count on this mover.
Two Men And A Truck
Two Men and a Truck is a nationwide moving company that has offices all over the place. From Monday through Saturday, you can hire this company to help you with your cross-country move.
With Two Men and a Truck, you can move things from your house, apartment, office, or wherever else. The even greater news is that this company is a specialist in long-distance moves, which means you can rest assured knowing that your belongings will be safe in their hands.
Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines has agents operating across the entire country, so it won’t be too hard to find one in Seattle. The company offers all kinds of moving services, and they can easily help you move from Seattle to Charleston.
You can get free moving quotes from their website, but also from our moving costs calculator. All you have to do is fill in some info and you’ll get free moving estimates in a matter of minutes.
What Are The Benefits of Moving From Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
While lots of people have been moving to Charleston, it doesn’t mean that the city is perfect. It has lots of positive aspects, but it’s important to mention that it has plenty of disadvantages as well. In the end, it’s up to you to create a list and compare the pros and cons.
- Like anywhere else, moving to Charleston has its advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it’s up to you to consider the pros and cons and make the final decision.
- The Seattle Great Wheel as viewed from Alaskan Way.
While we can help you get started on the list, keep in mind that the advantages and disadvantages of relocating anywhere are highly relative and will depend on what you think.
To help you get a head start, here are a few pros and cons of moving from Seattle to Charleston.
Pros of Moving from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC
- You won’t spend as much on living expenses.
- As we said before, one of the best parts of moving from Seattle to Charleston is that you will get to save a lot more money than you probably do now. Compared to Seattle, everything in Charleston will be cheaper for you, from housing to grocery shopping.
- You’ll enjoy lower gasoline prices.
- In South Carolina, gasoline is slightly cheaper than the national average. This means that you can drive around and get to know the place without worrying about the costs of filling the fuel tank later on.
- You’ll enjoy a quiet life in a metro area.
- One very attractive thing about Charleston is that it is a large metro area but it still manages to have a small-town vibe. The beautiful architecture and “quiet” energy are perfect for those who want a calm life but aren’t willing to give up life in the big city.
Cons of Moving from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC
- You’ll have to deal with climate threats.
- The main downside of relocating from Seattle to Charleston is that the Southern city often deals with floods and hurricanes due to its geographical location.
- You’ll have to get used to the wildlife.
- You’ve probably heard people making jokes about alligators and the South. Well, you better get used to the idea of living around alligators because those animals surely do like stopping by Charleston.
- You’ll have to get used to the cuisine.
- Southern cuisine is wonderful, don’t get us wrong. The only problem is that Southerners love adding up quite a bit of hot sauce in most foods. If you’re not used to that, it’ll take a while for you to warm up to the cuisine.
5 Interesting Facts About Charleston, SC
Lots of people from the big metro areas like NYC, LA, Seattle, and Chicago, among others, don’t really know a lot about the South. Some of them would go as far as to say that they think every Southern city is small.
- Most people don’t give Charleston a second thought, but if you stop to read about it, you’ll see that this city is incredible. Check out these facts to see what we mean.
- Aerial view of Shem Creek on a cloudy day.
Sure, when compared to a cosmopolitan city like New York, Charleston seems like a small town — but it is really not. In fact, Charleston is a large metro area, with plenty of interesting things to do. On top of that, this city has a very rich history.
If you want to learn more about your future area, here are 5 interesting facts about Charleston, South Carolina!
- Pirate attacks
- It’s kind of crazy to imagine this but Charleston was the target of so many pirate attacks back in the day. Even the infamous “Blackbeard” once tried to invade the city back in the early 1700s.
- King Charles
- When the British still controlled the United States, King Charles II gave the area to some of his friends. The friends named the settlement “Charles Town”. Once the British were kicked out of the country, the Americans changed the name of the city to Charleston.
- Charleston Green
- Once the Civil War was over, Charleston residents got black paint from the government so they could fix their homes. The people then mixed the black paint with another color and created the “Charleston Green”, which is still popular in the city today.
- First theater
- While one may think that New York City would be the place to house the first theater in America, it’s actually Charleston. The “Dock Street Theater” was built in 1736 and you can still visit it today.
- No pro sports teams
- If you’re a sports fan, you probably won’t be too happy to know that Charleston has no professional sports team — in any sports. The city does have a hurling club and a roller derby team.
Comparison: Price of Living in Seattle, WA vs. Price of Living in Charleston, SC
One of the best things about moving from Seattle to Charleston is that you will get to save a lot of money on living expenses, especially if you manage to find a job that will allow you to have the same (or better) income.
The South is notoriously affordable, even if it is welcoming thousands of new residents every year. To help you get an idea of how much more affordable life in Charleston, South Carolina is, here is a table comparing the price of living in Seattle versus the price of living in Charleston.
EXPENSES | SEATTLE | CHARLESTON |
Housing | $1,906 | $1,207 |
Food | $941 | $843 |
Child care | $1,811 | $965 |
Transportation | $1,274 | $1,181 |
Health care | $1,032 | $1,124 |
Other necessities | $1,032 | $743 |
Taxes | $997 | $716 |
Monthly Total | $8,993 | $6,779 |
Annual Total | $107,916 | $81,345 |
All estimates presented in the table above were calculated considering the expenses of a family of two adults and two children. The data was retrieved from the Economic Policy Institute’s Family Budget Calculator.
In the end, is Moving from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC Worth It?
While South Carolina is not one of the top-rated states, there are still lots of positive aspects to moving to this state, especially if you’re moving to Charleston. For instance, both the cost of living in Charleston and the median home price in this city are below the national average, which is definitely a plus for those who are coming from Seattle.
In addition to that, Charleston has shown significant job growth above the national rate in the past couple of years — which means that you’re likely to find a job in this city. And don’t worry about entertainment; there are lots of things to do in Charleston.
Overall, you’ll get to make the most of your money if you make this move, so we would say that it’s worth moving from Seattle to Charleston.
How to Move from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC?
Moving is not the kind of process that you can go through without any type of planning. Sometimes, even just writing down a short list of steps to follow is helpful. Anything is better than relocating without planning, especially if you want to avoid stress and wasting money in the future.
- If you want a successful and hassle-free relocation, you have to plan ahead. If you don’t know how to get started, we prepared some tips to guide you in this process!
- A woman organizing her moving boxes.
When you first think about it, you’ll probably think that relocating is not a simple process. However, we’re also pretty sure you’ll change your mind once you read the tips we have prepared for you.
Here are 10 tips on how to move from Seattle to Charleston!
- Plan Ahead
- Planning ahead is the key to a successful relocation process. If you plan thoroughly, you won’t have to deal with extra expenses or major issues during the process, which is basically the dream.
- Downsize
- You probably know this, but it’s always good to have a reminder. Downsizing is one of the best ways to save money during the moving process. You can either donate the things you don’t anymore or host a yard sale and make a few bucks!
- Get Moving Quotes
- When you go shopping, do you buy in the first store you come across or check the price in different stores before buying the product you’re looking for? When it comes to moving, you should contact different movers to find the best price. You can use our free moving costs calculator to get moving quotes!
- Book Movers
- Once you’ve found a moving company that fits your budget and needs, the next step in the process is to hire their services. You don’t want to leave this step to the last minute or you might have to pay extra fees.
- Visit Your New Area
- The distance between Seattle and Charleston is approximately 3000 miles. Because they’re so far apart, it’s normal to be unsure about moving. In this case, you can always plan a quick trip to South Carolina and visit your new area before making any decisions.
- Start Packing
- The next step is not one that people love; in fact, most people dread the moment they have to start packing. If you want to skip this stage, you have the option of paying an extra fee for your mover and they’ll pack everything for you.
- Create an Essentials Box
- Few people have the energy to drive all the way from Seattle to Charleston. Whether you’re relocating by car or by plane, you should always prepare a box of essentials. In this box, you’ll store all the important items you want to put your hands on as soon as you get to your new home.
- Say Farewells
- Once you move to your new address in South Carolina, you probably will be thousands of miles away from the people you know and love. You should start saying your farewells at least two or three weeks prior to the moving day.
- Get Some Rest
- Moving is exhausting, and you will feel drained by the time you have to go to Charleston. Ideally, you should get some rest whenever you can during the entire process. If you’re too busy and have no time, you should at least get some rest the day before you hop on a flight from Seattle to Charleston.
- Enjoy the Move
- Our final tip for you is to enjoy the move. There will be moments when you’ll feel like giving up on the move or second-guessing if you’re doing the right thing. Keep in mind that you’re starting a new phase in your life and that this is the best for you and your family!
Moving Services to Help You Relocate from Seattle, WA to Charleston, SC
Once you start looking for movers, you’ll realize that there are plenty of moving services that you choose from. It’s likely that you won’t need half of the services we’re about to show you, but it’s always good to know all your options.
- Depending on the kind of items that you own, you’ll need to hire specific types of movers. Before you contact a moving company, make sure that you know exactly what you need and what they can offer.
- A moving truck driving along a road surrounded by trees.
Knowing about the types of moving services is essential because you’ll be able to choose the ideal mover based not only on their rates but also on the types of services they offer. Here are 9 moving services to help you relocate from Seattle to Charleston!
- Furniture Transportation
- Most people own the furniture in their houses, and they don’t want to buy new pieces of furniture every time they relocate. In this case, all you have to do is hire full-service movers and they’ll help you with furniture transportation from Seattle to Charleston.
- Residential Movers
- If you live in an apartment, you’ll need to hire apartment movers. But you don’t have to worry about having a hard time finding a moving company. You can always reach out to a residential mover and they’ll help you get your moving process started.
- Piano Transportation
- If you’re one of the few people who have a piano at home, you’re probably wondering how you can move a piano from Seattle to Charleston. Luckily for you, piano movers can help you relocate any piano, anywhere.
- Art and Antiques Movers
- Art pieces and antiques are some of the most fragile objects one can have at home. If you have them, you’re certainly concerned about the safety of your beloved items. Worry not! Art and antique movers will safely relocate your items from Seattle to Charleston in one piece!
- Hot Tub Movers
- Having a hot tub at home must feel marvelous. If you’re one of the lucky people who own a hot tub, you’ll be happy to know that you can hire a hot tub mover to relocate your jacuzzi to Charleston.
- Pool Table Movers
- Not everyone enjoys playing billiards, but if you own a pool table, you certainly must enjoy the game. If you’re not quite ready to give up on your source of entertainment, you can easily move a pool table from Seattle to Charleston.
- Office Movers
- In addition to hiring a residential mover, you can also hire a commercial mover. They’re also known as office movers. These companies have specific equipment and trained staff to move everything from your business or office — even if it’s on the top floor of a business tower!
- Long-Distance Movers
- As we mentioned before, you’ll need to hire a cross-country mover in order to relocate from Seattle to Charleston. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t contact a long-distance mover. If you’re lucky enough, they’ll be able to help you!
- Last-Minute Movers
- We never know what’s going to happen in life, and even the most detailed and thorough plans can fall apart. In case anything comes up and you’re forced to move sooner than expected, you can always contact a last-minute mover. Some of these companies can help you relocate in less than 24 hours!