($1,489) Movers From Columbia, SC to Oakland, CA

Local moving companies in Columbia

Ballantyne & Beyond Moving

rating 4.86 / 5

DOT #: 2557751

Years in Business: 16

1228 Transformation Ln, Fort Mill, SC 29707 US

Moving with Ballantyne & Beyond lands at the top for professionalism and attentive staff. In 185 feedback sources, 83.8% of customer input is positive. Polite team members, efficient timelines, and careful handling stand out, with many customers mentioning prompt response, accurate estimates, and extra help from movers. Many highlight stress-free moving days and furniture treated with care, which sets them above most competitors. On the other hand, some customers faced damaged items, issues with how belongings were packed, or communication lapses, especially during complex moves. Compared to other movers, Ballantyne & Beyond delivers higher-than-average professionalism and careful service, but some moves have resulted in costly item mishaps and unmet service expectations.

Get a Quote (803) 547-1800

Review Profiles

• Grade A+
• 
  

  (36)
• 
  

  (134)
• Read Ballantyne & Beyond Moving Full Review

Services Offered

Move Distances

• Local moves
• Interstate moves
• International moves

Available services

• Packing
• Unpacking
• Offices
• Pianos
• Crating
• Storage
• Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

• Pay by money order
• Pay by cash
• Pay by credit card
• DOT #: 2557751
• State license #: 9784-A

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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

rating 4.76 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 31

126 Atlas Court, Columbia, SC 29209 US

Dependable service and professionalism stand out in feedback for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. After analyzing 256 reviews, a remarkable 86.7% of input praised efficient, careful movers who handle belongings thoughtfully and display a positive attitude. Fast service, courteous staff, and respect for customer property routinely put this company ahead of competitors. Clients often highlighted seamless communication and the crews’ on-time arrival, underscoring their reliability. Negative remarks, making up 11.7% of feedback, centered on property damage, additional unexpected fees, and rare breakdowns in communication. Some reviewers cited items arriving damaged or incomplete responses to damage claims. A very small number (1.6%) posted neutral feedback, usually noting mixed communication or unclear pricing. This company receives more enthusiastic recommendations and repeat business than many moving providers, thanks to organized, efficient service and respectful teams. The rare complaints about broken belongings and disputed charges align with frustrations customers have encountered with other movers, but appear far less often here, helping TWO MEN AND A TRUCK earn trust with those seeking a reliable moving partner.

Get a Quote (803) 310-7445

Review Profiles

• Grade A+
• 
  

  (26)
• 
  

  (48)
• Read TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Full Review

Services Offered

Move Distances

• Local moves
• Interstate moves

Available services

• Packing
• Unpacking
• Pianos
• Storage
• Safes

Additional Information

• Pay by credit card
• DOT #: 2527384
• State license #: 9494-C

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Gentlemen Movers Inc.

rating 4.72 / 5

DOT #: 1442337

Years in Business: 21

1001 Pinnacle Point Drive, Columbia, SC 29223 US

Gentlemen Movers Inc. earns high marks for efficiency and professionalism, standing out with 72% positive feedback from 161 reviews. Customers consistently praise the team's effective service, politeness, careful handling of belongings, speed, and affordable prices. Many appreciate how the staff alleviates the usual stress of moving. Still, nearly 28% of input highlights problems like damaged items, unexpected extra charges, and hard-to-reach management. Experiences with item protection and clear communication fall short for some, leading to frustration over unaddressed complaints. In comparison with other companies, Gentlemen Movers rates highly for staff professionalism and affordability but lags in reliability when damage claims or billing inaccuracies arise. Most people are happy with the company, but those considering more delicate moves or strict budgets should be attentive to potential risks.

Get a Quote (803) 782-0063

Review Profiles

• Grade A+
• 
  

  (23)
• 
  

  (110)
• Read Gentlemen Movers Inc. Full Review

Services Offered

Move Distances

• Local moves
• Interstate moves

Available services

• Packing
• Unpacking
• Offices
• Pianos
• Hot Tubs
• Pool Tables
• Grandfather clocks
• Storage
• Safes

Additional Information

• Pay by credit card
• DOT #: 1442337
• State license #: 9756

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Smooth Move

rating 4.62 / 5

DOT #: 2823802

Years in Business: 12

1461 Dave Lyle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29730 US

Rave reviews set Smooth Move apart. Of 255 pieces of customer feedback, 97% rated their experience positively, a rare feat in the moving industry. Customers consistently highlight Smooth Move’s efficient service, polite and professional staff, careful handling of items, speedy relocations, and helpful movers. Many praise the crews for going out of their way to protect belongings and make the process stress-free, even in complex or emotional situations. Negative feedback centers on isolated complaints about damage to items, communication delays, or inaccurate estimates. When compared to other companies, Smooth Move stands out for reliability, responsiveness, and respect for property. Their reputation for thorough care and pleasant experiences makes them a top pick for those seeking movers who value client trust and seamless service.

Get a Quote (803) 366-6683

Review Profiles

• Grade NR
• 
  

  (22)
• 
  

  (507)
• Read Smooth Move Full Review

Services Offered

Move Distances

• Local moves
• Interstate moves

Available services

• Packing
• Unpacking
• Offices
• Pianos
• Hot Tubs
• Art
• Antiques
• Crating
• Storage
• Fragile-only packing

Additional Information

• Pay by credit card
• DOT #: 2823802
• State license #: 9823

Alternative Business Names

• Go Smooth Move, LLC
• Carolina Movers, LLC

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Reign Moving Solutions

rating 4.62 / 5

DOT #: 3524609

9501 Constitution Hall Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277 US

Moving perfection—customers consistently praise Reign Moving Solutions for fast, careful, and professional service. All 11 feedback entries gave the highest ratings and highlighted staff professionalism, careful handling, efficiency, and helpfulness. Not a single review mentioned damaged items or delays. Clients appreciated great communication, with movers accommodating scheduling needs, respecting property, and even managing complex moves such as pianos and cross-country relocations without issue. This reputation, earned through consistently outstanding experiences, sets Reign apart from typical moving companies that often struggle with reliability or care. Reign Moving Solutions stands out as a trusted choice for any move.

Get a Quote (704) 459-1199

Review Profiles

• Grade A+
• 
  

  (15)
• 
  

  (245)
• Read Reign Moving Solutions Full Review

Services Offered

Move Distances

• Local moves
• Interstate moves

Available services

• Packing
• Unpacking
• Offices
• Pianos
• Pool Tables
• Art
• Crating
• Storage

Additional Information

• Pay by cash
• Pay by credit card
• DOT #: 3524609

Alternative Business Names

• Reign Moving Solutions LLC

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What to know before moving from Columbia to Oakland

Moving from Columbia to Oakland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Oakland is generally more expensive than Columbia, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Oakland are 52% higher than in Columbia, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Columbia.
  Home prices in Oakland are 233.7% higher than in Columbia.
• Income in Oakland is 45.9% higher than in Columbia, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Oakland include Kaiser Permanente, Dreyer's, and The Clorox Company.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Oakland, since the cost of living for a single person in Oakland is 60.8% higher than in Columbia. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Oakland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Oakland is 100.8% higher than in Columbia.
• The unemployment rate in Oakland is 13.46% lower than in Columbia.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Oakland, since the city’s sales taxes in Oakland are 28.13% higher than in Columbia.
• State income taxes in Oakland are 90.00% higher than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,825.15 in Oakland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Oakland

• The population of Oakland is about 223% greater than Columbia, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Oakland offers better access to buses and trains than Columbia, based on public transportation ratings. Oakland has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 5 in Columbia. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Oakland means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbia. Oakland is considered more walkable than Columbia, with a score of 75 out of 100 versus 35 out of 100 in Columbia. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Oakland is considered more bike-friendly than Columbia in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Oakland has a bike-friendliness score of 65 out of 100, while Columbia is rated as 35 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Oakland is higher than in Columbia, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 68.62 in Oakland, it is 3.0 in Columbia. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Oakland. With a crime index of 31.38, Oakland ranks lower in overall safety than Columbia, whose index is Columbia's 48.39. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Oakland and Columbia is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. Oakland move

• Weather: Oakland features warm, dry summers, and mild, wet winters.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• State licensing: When contacting a local moving company for an estimate in California, make sure each has a “T Number” issued by the California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC). Moving companies with valid T Numbers have met state requirements for insurance, safety, and financial stability and have passed criminal clearance checks conducted by the California Department of Justice. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in California, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While California doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Oakland without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. Opt for Released Value Protection – a cost-free choice provided by movers with minimal coverage. The liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, your reimbursement is only $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, consult with your chosen moving company or consider third-party insurance options.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Oakland

With your sights set on "Town", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Oakland.

Helpful moving resources