How Much Do Columbia, SC Movers Cost?
Quick answer: The typical cost for hiring movers in Columbia is $256 per hour, with the total cost to move ranging from $607 to $8,105, on average. If you’re moving out of South Carolina, the cost of hiring long-distance movers in Columbia really depends on where you’re moving.
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Average cost to hire interstate movers in Columbia, SC
Since the cost of moving out of Columbia depends so much on where you’re moving, we’ve included some example costs below to give you a better idea of pricing. For more detailed guides on your specific destination, find your moving route to Columbia or use our moving cost calculator to get quotes from the top interstate movers.
Cost to move a one-bedroom home out of state from Columbia
The cost to move a studio apartment or one-bedroom home out of state from Columbia depends on the moving method you choose, how much stuff you have, and how far you’re moving.
Take a look at some example costs to move a one-bedroom cross-country:
- Columbia to Los Angeles: $2,377–$4,646
- Columbia to New York City: $1,810–$3,422
- Columbia to Chicago: $1,843–$3,762
- Columbia to Brooklyn: $1,758–$3,671
- Columbia to Queens: $1,688–$3,635
Cost to move a two- or three-bedroom home out of state from Columbia
As with any move, the cost to relocate a two- or three-bedroom from Columbia can vary widely based on move size, distance, and time of year.
Here is a look at some two- and three-bedroom move costs out of Columbia:
- Columbia to Los Angeles: $3,508–$6,064
- Columbia to New York City: $1,997–$4,417
- Columbia to Chicago: $2,169–$4,581
- Columbia to Brooklyn: $2,080–$4,372
- Columbia to Queens: $2,101–$4,507
Cost to move a four-bedroom (or larger) home out of state from Columbia
The cost to move a four-bedroom or larger home out of South Carolina will be significantly higher than for one- or two-bedroom houses, since a bigger house typically means more items. Movers calculate long-distance moves, in part, based on the total estimated volume and weight of your household belongings.
While moving costs can vary, take a look at these cost ranges for moving four or more bedrooms out of Columbia:
- Columbia to Los Angeles: $6,338–$9,976
- Columbia to New York City: $3,616–$6,424
- Columbia to Chicago: $3,729–$5,943
- Columbia to Brooklyn: $3,724–$6,424
- Columbia to Queens: $3,724–$6,548
Best interstate moving companies in Columbia, SC
Now that you have an idea of what your move from Columbia should cost, it’s time to start looking at the best interstate moving companies. We vetted each one, examining their pricing, services, and our own real-life customer reviews to pick the best options for you.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5 stars
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
Average cost to hire a local moving company in Columbia, SC
Hiring a full-service Columbia mover is definitely the most convenient option, but that convenience comes at a cost — professional movers tend to be more expensive than other moving options. If you want movers to do all the heavy lifting for you and you can afford it, hire a full-service moving company for your Columbia move.
If you want to save money, you can hire a container company, where you do the packing and loading and they transport your belongings in Columbia for you, or by renting a moving truck and handling it all on your own.
Here are the average moving costs from Columbia to another state with different types of movers:
| Destination | Professional Movers | Containers | Rental Trucks |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $1,997 - $5,201 | $1,365 - $2,648 | $536 - $1,142 |
| Providence | $2,281 - $5,289 | $1,452 - $2,872 | $640 - $1,358 |
| Minneapolis | $2,534 - $6,175 | $1,528 - $3,099 | $773 - $1,688 |
And here's how much professional movers cost in Columbia based on your move size:
| Home size | Avg. total cost | Cost/hour | # of movers | # hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $607 | $358 | 2 movers | 3 hours |
| 1 bedroom | $965 | $358 | 2 movers | 4 hours |
| 2 bedroom | $1,752 | $501 | 3 movers | 5 hours |
| 3 bedroom | $4,455 | $701 | 4 movers | 8 hours |
| 4 bedroom | $5,156 | $701 | 4 movers | 9 hours |
| 5+ bedroom | $8,105 | $982 | 5 movers | 10 hours |
- Studio: The average cost to hire movers in Columbia to move a studio apartment is $358 per hour for three hours using a two-person moving crew.
- One bedroom: Moving a one-bedroom Columbia apartment or home will typically take four hours, at an hourly rate of $358, and require two movers.
- Two bedrooms: It will cost $501 an hour, on average, to hire a three-person crew in Columbia to move a two-bedroom home. Two-bedroom moves usually take about five hours.
- Three bedrooms: Local Columbia movers charge an average hourly rate of $701 for a three-bedroom home. A move of this size will usually take eight hours to complete using four movers.
- Four bedrooms: For a four-bedroom house in Columbia, you can expect to pay $701 per hour for nine hours. You’ll likely need a four-person moving crew.
- Five or more bedrooms: If your Columbia home is a five-bedroom or larger, you will pay $982 an hour, on average, for five movers. Moves this size usually take about ten hours to complete.
It's worth noting the cost per hour for Columbia movers remains the same for all home sizes, ranging from $358 per hour for two movers to $982 per hour for five movers. As the size of your home increases, the number of movers and hours required for the move also increases, resulting in a higher total cost.
Overall, hiring local Columbia movers is a convenient and stress-free way to move within the city. By knowing the approximate cost for your home size, you can budget accordingly and make informed decisions for your upcoming move.
Easily compare personalized moving quotes for your Columbia move using our free and instant moving cost calculator.
Best local moving companies in Columbia, SC
Our expert team of analysts has dug deep into licensing, insurance options, online reviews, and hundreds of other data points to find you the best local moving companies in Columbia.
- Gentlemen Movers Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Two Men and a Truck: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- JEGA Movers LLC: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Professional and polite staff (25%)
- Efficient service (23%)
- Careful handling (20%)
- Damage to items (30%)
- Unexpected charges (25%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 9756
Years in Business: 21
DOT #: 1442337
Gentlemen Movers Inc., based in Columbia, SC, has been providing reliable local residential moving services since 2004. They stand out in the area by also offering packing and unpacking services, and they accept credit cards with no deposit required. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with an average rating of 2.0 from 21 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a higher average rating of 4.0 from 110 reviews, complemented by an impressive Better Business Bureau rating of A+. Compared to other local movers, Gentlemen Movers Inc. provides a versatile set of services and has a strong track record of customer satisfaction.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Efficient service (29%)
- Careful handling (25%)
- Damage to items (27%)
- Unexpected charges (23%)
- Lack of communication (20%)
Company Info
State license #: 9494-C
Years in Business: 31
DOT #: 2527384
Two Men and a Truck, serving Columbia, SC since 1995, specializes in local residential moving services. Unlike many nearby movers, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, adding convenience for customers. They offer comprehensive packing and unpacking services and can handle specialty items like pianos and safes. Reviews on Yelp give them an average of 2.5 stars, while their Google My Business profile rates them at 3.9 stars, and they hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, highlighting a mixed but generally positive reputation.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Efficient service (43%)
- Professional and polite staff (43%)
- Good communication (43%)
- Damage to items (43%)
- Unprofessional behavior (43%)
- Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
Company Info
State license #: 2021239
Years in Business: 5
DOT #: 3583359
JEGA Movers LLC has been a trusted name for local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC, since 2020. Unlike many nearby movers, JEGA Movers boasts an impeccable reputation with an A rating from the Better Business Bureau and an impressive 4.8-star average on Google from 145 reviews. While their Yelp profile shows mixed reviews with a 3.0 average from 6 reviews, their overall reliability is underscored by their high volume of positive feedback. Additionally, they offer comprehensive services, including packing, unpacking, and office moving, and do not require a deposit, setting them apart from many competitors.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Professional and polite staff (31%)
- Efficient service (26%)
- Good communication (24%)
- Damage to items (31%)
- Unexpected charges (28%)
- Lack of communication (24%)
Company Info
State license #: 9873
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 902281
All My Sons Moving & Storage offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC, boasting over two decades of industry experience since their establishment in 2000. Unlike many nearby moving companies, they provide comprehensive packing and unpacking services, ensuring a smooth transition for their clients. With a BBB rating of A, the company demonstrates commitment to customer satisfaction despite mixed reviews on Google, where they maintain an average rating of 3.0 from 44 reviews. They accept credit cards, although a deposit is required.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- Efficient service (32%)
- Professional and polite staff (29%)
- Good communication (25%)
- Damage to items (23%)
- Unexpected charges (20%)
- Lack of communication (18%)
Company Info
State license #: 9890
DOT #: 2378173
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving offers reliable local residential moving services in and around Columbia, SC. In addition to moving, they provide office moving, packing, and unpacking services, ensuring a smooth transition for both home and business clients. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards and require no deposit, adding to their customer-friendly policies. With an impressive 4.9 average rating from 327 reviews on Google, they are widely praised, though reviews on Yelp are more mixed with a 2.8 average from 13 reviews. College Hunks stands out as a versatile and dependable choice in the local moving market.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Visit our best movers in Columbia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews. And if you’re moving outside of Columbia, consider one of Columbia’s top long-distance movers.
Moving costs in other nearby South Carolina cities
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Average cost of PODS in Columbia, SC
PODS will cost $220–$7,448, on average, in Columbia. The exact PODS cost you’ll pay will depend on whether you use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container (note: 12-foot containers are only available for local moves). The distance of your move will also greatly impact cost.
A local Columbia move within 50 miles of your home will run between $220 and $813, while long-distance moves (100-250 miles) will typically cost $250–$2,107. Container pricing on cross-country moves from Columbia can cost an average range of $2,068–$7,448.
Here's a breakdown of related PODS costs:
- Storage fee: $149–$359 (first 30 days is free)
- Damage coverage: 10–$439.95 per month, depending on the protection plan. Coverage ranges from container-only (no contents protection) to $300,000. All plans have a deductible of $100.
- Door lock (if necessary): $25 (if purchased through PODS; you can also purchase from home improvement stores or online retailers)
If you’re looking for the cost-savings of a DIY move and the convenience of full-service movers, moving containers like PODS are a great option. You’ll handle loading and unloading, but they will drop off your empty container at your current home, pick it up once it’s loaded, and deliver it to your new location. This means you won’t have to worry about driving.
PODS is our overall top pick for moving containers in Phoenix based on their stellar reputation, nationwide availability, and multiple container sizes and insurance plans. But you should take a look at least two other highly rated moving container companies on our list to see which one offers the right combination of services and pricing for your move.
Best moving containers in Columbia, SC
The best Columbia moving container companies provide multiple container sizes, pricing transparency and deals, and secure, state-of-the-art facilities for longer-term storage needs. They should also have a solid reputation for quality customer service and efficient drop-off and pickup of containers.
Check out these highly rated moving containers:
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Average cost to rent a moving truck in Columbia, SC
You'll definitely have to break a sweat, but moving truck rentals in Columbia will be much easier on your wallet than full-service movers. The average cost to rent a moving truck in Columbia ranges from $19-$39 per day.
While cheaper than full-service moving companies, you’ll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself — from boxing up your belongings to loading them on the truck, hauling them to your new spot, and unloading everything there.
Here are the typical costs of Columbia rental trucks:
- Base cost: $19–$39 per day
- Mileage fee: $0.79–$39.95 per mile
- Fuel cost: Depends on driving distance
- Truck coverage: $20–$55 based on coverage level
- Equipment costs (optional): Dolly, straps, blankets
The total cost to rent a truck from companies like Budget or U-Haul will depend on:
- How far you drive the truck
- How long you have the truck rental
- Additional insurance
- Parking
- Toll fees
- Fuel
- Accommodations and dining
- Moving equipment rentals
Best moving truck rentals in Columbia, SC
The best moving truck rentals in Columbia provide affordable rates with no hidden fees, a variety of truck sizes, and plenty of physical locations across the U.S. for convenient rental returns.
These top moving truck rentals certainly fit the bill:
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
Average cost of labor-only moving companies in Columbia, SC
The average cost of labor-only moving companies in Columbia is an hourly rate of $128 for each crew member. Most moves — even small one-bedroom apartments — require a crew of two movers, so plan on about $255.5 per hour to hire labor assistance in Columbia.
Best labor-only moving companies in Columbia
The best Columbia labor-only movers have a reputation for professional and efficient service, but also provide reasonable hourly rates and a variety of optional services like packing that you can pick and choose from to create a customized plan suited to your specific needs.
We like these top-notch labor-only movers:
- First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
- Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
- $1,000 money-back service guarantee
- Fast and accurate delivery times
- Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
- Quick and easy booking process
- National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
- Dedicated move concierge specialist
- Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
- The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
Factors that affect the cost of movers in Columbia, SC
The biggest factor that affects the cost of movers in Columbia, SC, is distance, but there are several other price considerations to keep in mind, including:
- The size of your move: The more belongings you have, the more your move will cost. Moving a four-bedroom home will typically be more expensive than moving a studio apartment.
- When you move: You’ll usually pay more to move during peak season (May–September) because demand is higher. Similarly, the time of month and day of the week you book your move will impact cost. Demand will be higher the first and last of each month, when leases change over, and on Fridays and Saturdays, the most popular moving days. To save money on your move, consider booking during the week and in the middle of one of the off-season months, if possible.
- The type of move: Professional movers are the most convenient option, but they will cost you more than going with a DIY option like moving container companies or moving truck rentals.
- Any add-on services you select: Even if you go with a DIY move, you may want to hire third-party movers to assist you with loading and unloading. And professional movers offer a variety of optional services like packing and unpacking to help customize and streamline your relocation. But these additional services will come at an extra cost.
Quick tips for a stress-free move
- Have important documentation.
Places like high rises and managed apartments will often require a copy of your mover's insurance
and elevator reservation on moving day.
- Get approval.
Check ahead with any neighborhood, community, or HOA rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Secure a parking permit (if needed). Check with the City of Columbia for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Columbia.
- Check state licensing laws. To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers.
- Invest in moving insurance. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
Work with your movers to ensure all these items are taken care of before moving day.
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