Moving from California to South Carolina
An interstate move, so the FMCSA's rules apply from the first quote. Between Los Angeles and Charleston it is about 2,562 miles and 6 days on the road (about 47 hours of driving); the 100 city pairs we price between the two states run from 2,304 to 2,839 miles.
Prices from our published model (last updated ), not quotes. Distances marked ~ are estimated from city coordinates. Carriers: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census, snapshot 2026-09-24. We do not move anyone.
- ~2,562 miLos Angeles → Charleston
- 7–14 daysTypical transit
- $11,529+2-bedroom, movers
- 100City routes priced
In short
About 8,709 people moved from California to South Carolina in 2024 (Census estimate, ±2,524), and about 6,955 went the other way. Between Los Angeles and Charleston it is about 2,562 miles; a two-bedroom move with full-service movers runs $11,529 – $15,372 in our model, delivered in 7–14 days. 431 movers based in California hold interstate authority.
Who moves from California to South Carolina
The Census Bureau's 2024 survey puts the flow at about 8,709 people a year (±2,524), against about 6,955 (±1,938) from South Carolina to California, so South Carolina gains about 1,754 people a year on this exchange. California is the 5th-largest of the 49 states sending people to South Carolina; South Carolina took in about 189,282 from other states in all.
| From | To | People a year |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego County | Beaufort County | 506 ±388 |
| San Diego County | Richland County | 501 ±410 |
| Los Angeles County | Richland County | 383 ±114 |
| San Diego County | Berkeley County | 282 ±233 |
| San Bernardino County | Richland County | 226 ±116 |
US Census Bureau: ACS 2024 state-to-state migration and ACS 2016–2020 county-to-county flows; people a year with a 90% margin of error. County names link to their cost guides.
Los Angeles to Charleston, the representative route
Each state is represented by its largest city we cover. The map shows that corridor; the table further down prices every city pair between California and South Carolina.
Cost of moving from California to South Carolina
At about 2,562 miles, full-service movers should land around $11,529 – $15,372 for a two-bedroom home and $13,258 – $17,678 for three bedrooms. Load a container yourself and the two-bedroom figure drops to $8,301 – $11,068; a freight trailer is $5,534 – $7,379.
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $8,647 – $11,529 | $6,226 – $8,301 | $4,150 – $5,534 |
| 1 bedroom | $10,376 – $13,835 | $7,471 – $9,961 | $4,981 – $6,641 |
| 2 bedrooms | $11,529 – $15,372 | $8,301 – $11,068 | $5,534 – $7,379 |
| 3 bedrooms | $13,258 – $17,678 | $9,546 – $12,728 | $6,364 – $8,485 |
| 4 bedrooms | $14,988 – $19,984 | $10,791 – $14,388 | $7,194 – $9,592 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $17,294 – $23,058 | $12,451 – $16,602 | $8,301 – $11,068 |
Transport only, for an estimated 2,562 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
City-to-city routes from California to South Carolina
Every pair of cities we cover in the two states, nearest first. 6 have a full route page with a map, transit and licensed movers.
| Route | Distance | Transit | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moreno Valley to Greenville | ~2,304 mi | 7–14 days | $10,368 – $13,824 | $11,923 – $15,898 |
| San Bernardino to Greenville | ~2,306 mi | 7–14 days | $10,377 – $13,836 | $11,934 – $15,911 |
| Chula Vista to Greenville | ~2,315 mi | 7–14 days | $10,418 – $13,890 | $11,980 – $15,974 |
| Riverside to Greenville | ~2,316 mi | 7–14 days | $10,422 – $13,896 | $11,985 – $15,980 |
| Fontana to Greenville | ~2,317 mi | 7–14 days | $10,427 – $13,902 | $11,990 – $15,987 |
| San Diego to Greenville | ~2,323 mi | 7–14 days | $10,454 – $13,938 | $12,022 – $16,029 |
| Ontario to Greenville | ~2,328 mi | 7–14 days | $10,476 – $13,968 | $12,047 – $16,063 |
| Anaheim to Greenville | ~2,341 mi | 7–14 days | $10,535 – $14,046 | $12,115 – $16,153 |
| Irvine to Greenville | ~2,345 mi | 7–14 days | $10,553 – $14,070 | $12,135 – $16,181 |
| Santa Ana to Greenville | ~2,351 mi | 7–14 days | $10,580 – $14,106 | $12,166 – $16,222 |
| Lancaster to Greenville | ~2,355 mi | 7–14 days | $10,598 – $14,130 | $12,187 – $16,250 |
| Los Angeles to Greenville | ~2,369 mi | 7–14 days | $10,661 – $14,214 | $12,260 – $16,346 |
| Long Beach to Greenville | ~2,371 mi | 7–14 days | $10,670 – $14,226 | $12,270 – $16,360 |
| Santa Clarita to Greenville | ~2,380 mi | 7–14 days | $10,710 – $14,280 | $12,317 – $16,422 |
| Bakersfield to Greenville | ~2,401 mi | 7–14 days | $10,805 – $14,406 | $12,425 – $16,567 |
| Moreno Valley to Columbia | ~2,404 mi | 7–14 days | $10,818 – $14,424 | $12,441 – $16,588 |
| San Bernardino to Columbia | ~2,407 mi | 7–14 days | $10,832 – $14,442 | $12,456 – $16,608 |
| Chula Vista to Columbia | ~2,412 mi | 7–14 days | $10,854 – $14,472 | $12,482 – $16,643 |
| Riverside to Columbia | ~2,416 mi | 7–14 days | $10,872 – $14,496 | $12,503 – $16,670 |
| Fontana to Columbia | ~2,418 mi | 7–14 days | $10,881 – $14,508 | $12,513 – $16,684 |
| San Diego to Columbia | ~2,421 mi | 7–14 days | $10,895 – $14,526 | $12,529 – $16,705 |
| Ontario to Columbia | ~2,429 mi | 7–14 days | $10,931 – $14,574 | $12,570 – $16,760 |
| Oxnard to Greenville | ~2,430 mi | 7–14 days | $10,935 – $14,580 | $12,575 – $16,767 |
| Fresno to Greenville | ~2,432 mi | 7–14 days | $10,944 – $14,592 | $12,586 – $16,781 |
| Anaheim to Columbia | ~2,441 mi | 7–14 days | $10,985 – $14,646 | $12,632 – $16,843 |
| Irvine to Columbia | ~2,445 mi | 7–14 days | $11,003 – $14,670 | $12,653 – $16,871 |
| Santa Ana to Columbia | ~2,451 mi | 7–14 days | $11,030 – $14,706 | $12,684 – $16,912 |
| Lancaster to Columbia | ~2,457 mi | 7–14 days | $11,057 – $14,742 | $12,715 – $16,953 |
| Los Angeles to Columbia | ~2,470 mi | 7–14 days | $11,115 – $14,820 | $12,782 – $17,043 |
| Long Beach to Columbia | ~2,471 mi | 7–14 days | $11,120 – $14,826 | $12,787 – $17,050 |
| Santa Clarita to Columbia | ~2,482 mi | 7–14 days | $11,169 – $14,892 | $12,844 – $17,126 |
| Moreno Valley to Charleston | ~2,496 mi | 7–14 days | $11,232 – $14,976 | $12,917 – $17,222 |
| San Bernardino to Charleston | ~2,499 mi | 7–14 days | $11,246 – $14,994 | $12,932 – $17,243 |
| Chula Vista to Charleston | ~2,500 mi | 7–14 days | $11,250 – $15,000 | $12,938 – $17,250 |
| Modesto to Greenville | ~2,501 mi | 7–14 days | $11,255 – $15,006 | $12,943 – $17,257 |
| Bakersfield to Columbia | ~2,505 mi | 7–14 days | $11,273 – $15,030 | $12,963 – $17,285 |
| Riverside to Charleston | ~2,508 mi | 7–14 days | $11,286 – $15,048 | $12,979 – $17,305 |
| San Diego to Charleston | ~2,509 mi | 7–14 days | $11,291 – $15,054 | $12,984 – $17,312 |
| Fontana to Charleston | ~2,510 mi | 7–14 days | $11,295 – $15,060 | $12,989 – $17,319 |
| Roseville to Greenville | ~2,511 mi | 7–14 days | $11,300 – $15,066 | $12,994 – $17,326 |
| Stockton to Greenville | ~2,517 mi | 7–14 days | $11,327 – $15,102 | $13,025 – $17,367 |
| Ontario to Charleston | ~2,521 mi | 7–14 days | $11,345 – $15,126 | $13,046 – $17,395 |
| Sacramento to Greenville | ~2,524 mi | 7–14 days | $11,358 – $15,144 | $13,062 – $17,416 |
| Oxnard to Columbia | ~2,531 mi | 7–14 days | $11,390 – $15,186 | $13,098 – $17,464 |
| Anaheim to Charleston | ~2,533 mi | 7–14 days | $11,399 – $15,198 | $13,108 – $17,478 |
| Irvine to Charleston | ~2,536 mi | 7–14 days | $11,412 – $15,216 | $13,124 – $17,498 |
| Fresno to Columbia | ~2,538 mi | 7–14 days | $11,421 – $15,228 | $13,134 – $17,512 |
| Santa Ana to Charleston | ~2,543 mi | 7–14 days | $11,444 – $15,258 | $13,160 – $17,547 |
| Moreno Valley to Myrtle Beach | ~2,550 mi | 7–14 days | $11,475 – $15,300 | $13,196 – $17,595 |
| Lancaster to Charleston | ~2,551 mi | 7–14 days | $11,480 – $15,306 | $13,201 – $17,602 |
| San Bernardino to Myrtle Beach | ~2,552 mi | 7–14 days | $11,484 – $15,312 | $13,207 – $17,609 |
| Chula Vista to Myrtle Beach | ~2,558 mi | 7–14 days | $11,511 – $15,348 | $13,238 – $17,650 |
| San Jose to Greenville | ~2,560 mi | 7–14 days | $11,520 – $15,360 | $13,248 – $17,664 |
| Fremont to Greenville | ~2,562 mi | 7–14 days | $11,529 – $15,372 | $13,258 – $17,678 |
| Los Angeles to Charleston | ~2,562 mi | 7–14 days | $11,529 – $15,372 | $13,258 – $17,678 |
| Riverside to Myrtle Beach | ~2,562 mi | 7–14 days | $11,529 – $15,372 | $13,258 – $17,678 |
| Long Beach to Charleston | ~2,563 mi | 7–14 days | $11,534 – $15,378 | $13,264 – $17,685 |
| Fontana to Myrtle Beach | ~2,564 mi | 7–14 days | $11,538 – $15,384 | $13,269 – $17,692 |
| San Diego to Myrtle Beach | ~2,566 mi | 7–14 days | $11,547 – $15,396 | $13,279 – $17,705 |
| Ontario to Myrtle Beach | ~2,574 mi | 7–14 days | $11,583 – $15,444 | $13,320 – $17,761 |
| Santa Clarita to Charleston | ~2,575 mi | 7–14 days | $11,588 – $15,450 | $13,326 – $17,767 |
| Oakland to Greenville | ~2,579 mi | 7–14 days | $11,606 – $15,474 | $13,346 – $17,795 |
| Anaheim to Myrtle Beach | ~2,587 mi | 7–14 days | $11,642 – $15,522 | $13,388 – $17,850 |
| San Francisco to Greenville | ~2,588 mi | 7–14 days | $11,646 – $15,528 | $13,393 – $17,857 |
| Irvine to Myrtle Beach | ~2,591 mi | 7–14 days | $11,660 – $15,546 | $13,408 – $17,878 |
| Santa Ana to Myrtle Beach | ~2,597 mi | 7–14 days | $11,687 – $15,582 | $13,439 – $17,919 |
| Bakersfield to Charleston | ~2,601 mi | 7–14 days | $11,705 – $15,606 | $13,460 – $17,947 |
| Lancaster to Myrtle Beach | ~2,602 mi | 7–14 days | $11,709 – $15,612 | $13,465 – $17,954 |
| Modesto to Columbia | ~2,608 mi | 7–14 days | $11,736 – $15,648 | $13,496 – $17,995 |
| Los Angeles to Myrtle Beach | ~2,616 mi | 7–14 days | $11,772 – $15,696 | $13,538 – $18,050 |
| Long Beach to Myrtle Beach | ~2,617 mi | 7–14 days | $11,777 – $15,702 | $13,543 – $18,057 |
| Roseville to Columbia | ~2,620 mi | 7–14 days | $11,790 – $15,720 | $13,558 – $18,078 |
| Oxnard to Charleston | ~2,624 mi | 7–14 days | $11,808 – $15,744 | $13,579 – $18,106 |
| Stockton to Columbia | ~2,624 mi | 7–14 days | $11,808 – $15,744 | $13,579 – $18,106 |
| Santa Clarita to Myrtle Beach | ~2,627 mi | 7–14 days | $11,822 – $15,762 | $13,595 – $18,126 |
| Sacramento to Columbia | ~2,632 mi | 7–14 days | $11,844 – $15,792 | $13,621 – $18,161 |
| Fresno to Charleston | ~2,637 mi | 7–14 days | $11,867 – $15,822 | $13,646 – $18,195 |
| Bakersfield to Myrtle Beach | ~2,650 mi | 7–14 days | $11,925 – $15,900 | $13,714 – $18,285 |
| San Jose to Columbia | ~2,667 mi | 7–14 days | $12,002 – $16,002 | $13,802 – $18,402 |
| Fremont to Columbia | ~2,668 mi | 7–14 days | $12,006 – $16,008 | $13,807 – $18,409 |
| Oxnard to Myrtle Beach | ~2,677 mi | 7–14 days | $12,047 – $16,062 | $13,853 – $18,471 |
| Fresno to Myrtle Beach | ~2,682 mi | 7–14 days | $12,069 – $16,092 | $13,879 – $18,506 |
| Oakland to Columbia | ~2,687 mi | 7–14 days | $12,092 – $16,122 | $13,905 – $18,540 |
| San Francisco to Columbia | ~2,695 mi | 7–14 days | $12,128 – $16,170 | $13,947 – $18,595 |
| Modesto to Charleston | ~2,709 mi | 7–14 days | $12,191 – $16,254 | $14,019 – $18,692 |
| Roseville to Charleston | ~2,724 mi | 7–14 days | $12,258 – $16,344 | $14,097 – $18,796 |
| Stockton to Charleston | ~2,727 mi | 7–14 days | $12,272 – $16,362 | $14,112 – $18,816 |
| Sacramento to Charleston | ~2,735 mi | 7–14 days | $12,308 – $16,410 | $14,154 – $18,871 |
| Modesto to Myrtle Beach | ~2,751 mi | 7–14 days | $12,380 – $16,506 | $14,236 – $18,982 |
| Roseville to Myrtle Beach | ~2,762 mi | 7–14 days | $12,429 – $16,572 | $14,293 – $19,058 |
| San Jose to Charleston | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Stockton to Myrtle Beach | ~2,768 mi | 7–14 days | $12,456 – $16,608 | $14,324 – $19,099 |
| Fremont to Charleston | ~2,770 mi | 7–14 days | $12,465 – $16,620 | $14,335 – $19,113 |
| Sacramento to Myrtle Beach | ~2,775 mi | 7–14 days | $12,488 – $16,650 | $14,361 – $19,147 |
| Oakland to Charleston | ~2,789 mi | 7–14 days | $12,551 – $16,734 | $14,433 – $19,244 |
| San Francisco to Charleston | ~2,798 mi | 7–14 days | $12,591 – $16,788 | $14,480 – $19,306 |
| San Jose to Myrtle Beach | ~2,811 mi | 7–14 days | $12,650 – $16,866 | $14,547 – $19,396 |
| Fremont to Myrtle Beach | ~2,812 mi | 7–14 days | $12,654 – $16,872 | $14,552 – $19,403 |
| Oakland to Myrtle Beach | ~2,830 mi | 7–14 days | $12,735 – $16,980 | $14,645 – $19,527 |
| San Francisco to Myrtle Beach | ~2,839 mi | 7–14 days | $12,776 – $17,034 | $14,692 – $19,589 |
Routes without a link are priced on estimated distance only; the calculator measures the exact drive.
Roadside inspections: interstate movers based in California
288 of the 431 interstate movers listed here had at least one roadside inspection in the 24 months to September 13, 2026, 2,633 inspections in all. Inspectors put the vehicle out of service in 233 of 1,930 vehicle inspections (12.1%), below the 19.0% for listed movers nationally. Drivers were put out of service in 330 of 2,512 driver inspections (13.1%, against 13.0%). None has an acute or critical violation from an FMCSA investigation in the past 12 months.
| Carrier | Inspections | Vehicle out of service | Driver out of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meathead Movers IncSan Luis Obispo, CA · USDOT 921143 | 125 | 3 of 87 | 8 of 125 |
| Best California MoversNorth Hollywood, CA · USDOT 3489907 | 91 | 1 of 70 | 8 of 87 |
| Air Container TransferBrisbane, CA · USDOT 1701515 | 63 | 8 of 56 | 1 of 63 |
| Altar Boys MovingPacoima, CA · USDOT 2824890 | 63 | 3 of 33 | 5 of 56 |
| Move Happy AcmeLos Angeles, CA · USDOT 3136064 | 61 | 8 of 39 | 8 of 58 |
| American Hills Moving & Storage IncWest Hills, CA · USDOT 4128186 | 49 | 3 of 29 | 30 of 49 |
FMCSA Safety Measurement System carrier summary, 24-month window. How the comparison is calculated.
Licensed movers at both ends
1,592 listed household-goods carriers are based in California, 431 of them with interstate authority, which this move requires; the California directory ranks them. At the South Carolina end, 179 are based in the state, useful for a local crew after delivery: movers in South Carolina, moving costs in South Carolina, or the reverse trip, South Carolina to California. The federal rules for the move itself are in who regulates movers and binding vs non-binding estimates.
Other moves from California
California to South Carolina moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from California to South Carolina?
Between the two states' main cities, Los Angeles and Charleston, the distance is about 2,562 miles. From our model that is $11,529 – $15,372 for a two-bedroom home and $13,258 – $17,678 for three bedrooms with full-service movers, transport only. A container you load yourself is about $8,301 – $11,068 for the two-bedroom home; a freight trailer about $5,534 – $7,379. Across the 100 city pairs we price between California and South Carolina, distances run from 2,304 to 2,839 miles, so use the table for your own cities.
How long does a move from California to South Carolina take?
Los Angeles to Charleston is 6 days on the road (about 47 hours of driving). The move itself typically takes 7 to 14 days, because at this distance it usually travels on a consolidated load sharing trailer space with other households. Get the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 6 to 8 weeks, 8 to 12 in summer.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for California to South Carolina?
Yes. A move from California into South Carolina is regulated by the FMCSA, so the carrier needs active interstate operating authority as well as a USDOT number. Of the 1,592 listed movers based in California, 431 hold that authority; the rest can only move you within California.
What is the cheapest way to move from California to South Carolina?
Load a freight trailer yourself: about $5,534 – $7,379 for a two-bedroom home over 2,562 miles against $11,529 – $15,372 with full-service movers. A container, about $8,301 – $11,068, splits the difference and gives you days to load.
How many people move from California to South Carolina each year?
The Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates about 8,709 people (±2,524) moved from California to South Carolina that year, against about 6,955 (±1,938) from South Carolina to California. That makes California the 5th-largest source of new residents for South Carolina among the states.