Moving from Chicago, IL, to Charleston, SC

Small-town life in the Holy City

Moving almost 1,000 miles from Chicago, IL, to Charleston, SC, means preparing for Southern Hospitality in “The Holy City.”

Chicago is massive compared to Charleston, with 2.7 million residents in the city and 9.6 million in the metro area. Although Charleston is the most populous city in South Carolina, it has only 150,277 people and under 850,000 in the metro.

Keep reading to learn what kind of small-town charm Charleston has in store for you.

Warm up in Charleston

You’ll get to enjoy all four seasons in Charleston, but they’ll feel slightly different from what you experienced in Chicago.

Summer temperatures are warmer in Charleston, with July high temperatures averaging 90 degrees, compared to 84 degrees in Chicago. Baltimore receives about 48 inches of rain annually, about 10 more inches than Chicago.

Chicago's winters are cold, with an average low temperature of 19 degrees and 35 inches of snow. Snow is rare in Charleston, with an average winter low above freezing at 39 degrees.

Learn more about the city

Charleston is among the oldest cities in the United States. Named for Charles II of England, it was founded in 1670 and chartered in 1763.

Here are more interesting facts about Charleston:

  • “The Holy City” of Charleston is home to over 400 churches, and the oldest one, St. Michael’s Church, was completed in 1752.
  • Charleston is home to The Citadel, a prestigious military college founded in 1842.
  • Charleston’s Symphony Orchestra was established in 1936, making it one of the oldest in its region.
  • The Civil War officially started at Fort Sumter in Charleston on April 13, 1861.

Finding work in Charleston

Tourism is prominent in the city, especially during the summer. Residents can find multiple jobs in hospitality and service. Technology, advertising, healthcare, marketing and transportation jobs are also abundant in Charleston.

Top employers in the area include Boeing, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Joint Base Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina and Roper.

You’ll find that the cost of living in Charleston is typically lower than in Chicago.

Move to Charleston with U-Pack

U-Pack® can help you move from Chicago to Charleston through our nationwide network of service centers. We have extensive experience in transporting things for long-distance moves, so you can focus on packing, loading and unloading.

Request your free, no-obligation online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re here to help!