($1,262) Movers From Philadelphia, PA to Columbia, SC
Quick answer: A move from Philadelphia to Columbia costs $583–$5,612 and takes one to 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 619-mile move yourself.

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Our track record
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Philadelphia guide.
The best Philadelphia to Columbia full-service moving companies
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Philadelphia to go to Columbia can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Philadelphia to Columbia.
- Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
- North 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
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- 10% discount for veterans and seniors
- Very competitive rates due to their national coverage
- Services local, long-distance, and international moves
- Can service most domestic moves within 48 hours
- 24/7 customer service
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
How much are professional moving companies when moving from Philadelphia to Columbia?
The best moving containers for your Philadelphia to Columbia move
Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Philadelphia to Columbia. You’ll save a little money by opting to pack and load everything yourself, but the container company will take care of the transportation for you.
We recommend these moving container companies:
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How much are moving container companies from Philadelphia to Columbia?
The best moving truck rentals for your Philadelphia to Columbia move
If you want to save even more money on your Philadelphia to Columbia move, renting a moving truck is your cheapest option. Keep in mind that you’ll be handling all the work — packing, loading, and driving. But that extra work will pay off in terms of keeping costs low.
These top moving truck rentals are a great place to start:
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How much is a moving truck from Philadelphia to Columbia?
The best labor-only movers for your Philadelphia to Columbia move
If you need some extra hands to help you with your move, you’ll want to hire labor-only movers with reasonable hourly rates and professional crews. Labor-only companies that offer add-on options like packing and cleaning allow you to more fully tailor services to your needs and budget.
Consider these highly rated labor-only movers to help you move from Philadelphia to Columbia:
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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 |
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Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,262 - $3,873 | $757 - $1,982 | $519 - $960 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,234 - $5,612 | $1,467 - $2,658 | $583 - $1,105 |
4+ bedrooms | $4,136 - $8,491 | $1,843 - $3,797 | $728 - $1,432 |
Factors influencing moving costs from Philadelphia to Columbia
What to know before moving from Philadelphia to Columbia
Philadelphia | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,695 | $1,447 |
Average home value | $216,914 | $220,612 |
Average income (per capita) | $70,746 | $64,683 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,541 | $1,956 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,190 | $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 1.7% higher than in Philadelphia.
- Income in Columbia is 8.6% lower than in Philadelphia.
- The cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 23.0% lower than in Philadelphia.
- The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 31.0% 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 in perspective, you would need around $2,309.33 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Philadelphia.
How life is different in Philadelphia vs. Columbia
Columbia | Philadelphia | |
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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 | 66.09 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 33.91 |
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 66.09. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Philadelphia neighborhoods are safer than 66.09%.
- Columbia is considered to be safer than Philadelphia with a safety index of 48.39 vs Philadelphia's 33.91.
- Air quality in Columbia is good, and in Philadelphia it's good.
Other things to consider for your Philadelphia vs. Columbia move
- 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.
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
Best neighborhoods for families
Things to do in Columbia
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 619-mile move from Philadelphia, PA, to Columbia, SC, takes one to 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.