($1,167) Moving from Philadelphia to Columbia
Quick answer: A move from Philadelphia to Columbia costs $529 to $5,357 and takes one-six days. The main factors that determine the cost and time are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the 623-mile move yourself.
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Hiring a long-distance moving company from Philadelphia will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Philadelphia guide.
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The best Philadelphia to Columbia moving companies
Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Philadelphia to Columbia is a big deal. There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Philadelphia to Columbia.
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- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5
- BLVD Moving: 4.25 out of 5
- PODS: 4.8 out of 5
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5
How much does it cost to move from Philadelphia to Columbia?
Philadelphia movers charge $130 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,167 - $3,479 | $716 - $1,693 | $499 - $897 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,068 - $5,357 | $1,331 - $2,462 | $529 - $1,054 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,826 - $8,166 | $1,811 - $3,280 | $635 - $1,261 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Philadelphia to Columbia
The cost of Philadelphia movers will depend on:
- Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Philadelphia to Columbia can be as low as $1,167 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,852.
- Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Philadelphia, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $499 to $1,123. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Philadelphia to Columbia?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Philadelphia to Columbia will cost between $1,167 to $3,479. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,068 to $5,357, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Philadelphia to Columbia will cost from $3,826 to $8,166.
How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Columbia?
Moving containers from Philadelphia to Columbia will cost you $716 to $1,693 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,331 to $2,462. A larger home will cost $1,811 to $3,280.
How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to Columbia?
Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $499 to $897. A larger move will cost $529 to $1,054, and a four-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Columbia costs from $635 to $1,261. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.
Pros and cons of moving from Philadelphia to Columbia
Cost of living: Philadelphia vs Columbia
| Philadelphia | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,447 |
| Average home value | $214,422 | $220,612 |
| Average income (per capita) | $68,961 | $64,683 |
| Cost of Living (single person) | $2,571 | $1,956 |
| Cost of Living (family of 4) | $5,886 | $4,274 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.6% | 5.2% |
| Sales Tax | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| State Income Tax | 3.07% | 7.0% |
- Rent prices in Columbia are 15% lower than in Philadelphia.
- Home prices in Columbia are 2.9% higher than in Philadelphia.
- Income in Columbia is 6.2% lower than in Philadelphia.
- The cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 23.9% lower than in Philadelphia.
- The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 27.4% lower than in Philadelphia.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 50.94% lower than in Philadelphia.
- Sales taxes are the same in Columbia and Philadelphia.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 128.01% higher than in Philadelphia.
To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,282.38 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How is life different in Philadelphia compared to Columbia?
| Columbia | Philadelphia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,632 | 1,603,797 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 35 | 75 |
| Bike friendliness score | 35 | 67 |
| Crime Index | 3.0 | 34.66 |
| Safety Index | 48.39 | 34.1 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia's population is about 91% less than Philadelphia.
- Columbia's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Philadelphia's lower score of 9.
- Columbia is less walkable than Philadelphia with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 75 out of 100.
- Columbia is less bike-friendly than Philadelphia with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Philadelphia's 67.
- Columbia's crime rate is lower than Philadelphia with a score of 3.0 compared to Philadelphia's 34.66. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 34.66%.
- Columbia is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 48.39 vs Philadelphia's 34.1.
- Air quality in Columbia is good, and in Philadelphia it's good.
Considerations for moving to Columbia
- Weather: If you're considering to move to Columbia, SC, better to consider during October, April and May to make sure weather will be pleasant.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Columbia. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Local Philadelphia movers
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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925 N Lenola Rd, Moorestown, NJ, 08057 (856) 727-1060 |
| Bellhop Moving | Get A Quote |
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230 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, 19102 (215) 309-9775 |
| Anchor Moving & Storage Inc. | Get A Quote |
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8295 National Hwy Ste B, Pennsauken, NJ, 08110 (856) 787-9898 |
Visit our best long distance movers in Philadelphia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
Where to live in Columbia
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Soda City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbia.
Best neighborhoods for singles:
- Cayce
- Seven Oaks
- Forest Acres
- Irmo
- Lexington
- West Columbia
- St. Andrews
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families:
- Irmo
- Forest Acres
- Lexington
- Blythewood
- Seven Oaks
- Chapin
- Cayce
- Oak Grove
What to do in Columbia
These are some of the best things to do in your new South Carolina home.
- Riverbanks Zoo
- Riverbanks Botanical Garden
- South Carolina State House
- South Carolina State Museum
- Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
- Columbia Museum of Art
- University of South Carolina Visitor Center
- Waverly Historic District
- EdVenture Children's Museum
Get your sports on!
Columbia is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
- Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)
- Benedict Tigers (SIAC)
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Columbia?
The best time to move from Philadelphia to Columbia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Philadelphia.
When is the cheapest time to move from Philadelphia to Columbia?
Because most people are moving from Philadelphia to Columbia in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Philadelphia to Columbia take?
The 623-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Columbia, SC, takes one-six days. Some Philadelphia movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbia.
