($549) Movers From Charleston to Columbia

Quick answer: The average cost to move 114 miles from Charleston to Columbia, South Carolina, ranges from $129 to $3,165. Your exact costs will depend on the size, distance and date of your move, as well as whether you hire pro movers or take a DIY approach.

Hiring the best South Carolina movers will cost more than renting a truck or using a moving container. While those DIY options will certainly save you some money, keep in mind they will also require you to do a lot more of the work

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Charleston guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

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The best Charleston to Columbia moving companies

Moving between two of South Carolina's major cities requires expert hands. Charleston to Columbia moves have unique challenges due to the distance and urban logistics.

Here are the best moving companies who can get the job done right:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Best customer service
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
(855) 929-4120
At A Glance
  • 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
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(855) 929-4120

Best local Charleston-to-Columbia movers

If you prefer to work with local companies, we've compiled the best Charleston movers and the best Columbia movers.

Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (45%)
  • Professional and polite staff (40%)
  • Careful handling (38%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (20%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (15%)
  • Unexpected charges (12%)
Review Analysis
Smooth Move Charleston has 251 online customer reviews, with 85% being positive. Customers praised the team for their efficient service, friendly staff, and careful handling of belongings. Many noted that the movers were punctual and professional, making the moving process smooth and stress-free. On the downside, some customers reported issues with communication and unexpected charges. A few also experienced damage to their items during the move. Despite these complaints, the overall feedback indicates that Smooth Move Charleston stands out among local moving companies for its commitment to customer satisfaction and reliability.
Get a Quote (843) 860-9717

Company Info

State license #: 9823

Years in Business: 10

DOT #: 2357653

Alternate Names: Go Smooth Move, LLC


Smooth Move Charleston has been a trusted provider of local residential moving services in and around Charleston, SC, since 2014. Known for their comprehensive offerings, which include packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out among other local movers. Consumer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive average rating of 4.9 on Google from 569 reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many competitors, Smooth Move Charleston accepts credit cards and requires no deposit, making them a convenient and reliable choice for your next move.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Storage
  • Pay by credit card
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (29%)
  • Efficient service (26%)
  • Careful handling (23%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (38%)
  • Higher-than-expected costs (33%)
  • Lack of communication (28%)
Review Analysis
All My Sons Moving & Storage has 326 online customer reviews, with 54% being positive. Many customers praised the efficient and professional service provided by the moving crews, highlighting their careful handling of belongings. However, numerous complaints surfaced regarding hidden fees, damaged items, and poor customer service, especially during claims processes. This contrast in experiences indicates that while some customers enjoyed a smooth moving process, others faced significant issues that overshadowed their overall satisfaction.
Get a Quote (843) 202-4860

Company Info

State license #: 9792-B

Years in Business: 26

DOT #: 902281


All My Sons Moving & Storage has been serving Charleston, SC, with local residential moving services since 2000. While their Yelp profile reflects mixed feedback with an average rating of 1.6 from 99 reviews, their Google My Business profile boasts a much more favorable 4.5 average rating from 1,390 reviews, and they hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. Unlike many nearby competitors, they offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, crating, and the ability to move specialty items like pianos, antiques, and safes. They accept credit cards, though a deposit is required. For those seeking a well-established moving company with diverse service offerings, All My Sons Moving & Storage presents a reputable option.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves
  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes
  • Pay by credit card
  • Deposit Required
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (38%)
  • Efficient service (35%)
  • Careful handling (31%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (22%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (20%)
  • Lack of communication (18%)
Review Analysis
Low Country Moving, LLC has 254 online customer reviews, with 85% of them being positive. Many customers praised the company for its professional and polite staff, efficient service, and careful handling of belongings. Some negative feedback highlighted issues with damage to items, delayed arrivals, and lack of communication. Overall, the company stands out among competitors for its customer service and commitment to care during moves.
Get a Quote (843) 737-1279

Company Info

Pricing: $150/hr

Years in Business: 11

DOT #: 2362770


Low Country Moving, LLC has been providing local residential moving services in and around Mt. Pleasant, SC since 2013. Known for their efficiency and care, they also offer specialized services such as piano and art moving, making them stand out among nearby competitors. Despite an average Yelp rating of 4.4 from 38 reviews, their Better Business Bureau rating of F may give potential clients pause. With no deposit required and a competitive rate of $150 per hour for a local move, they present a viable option for those seeking comprehensive and specialized moving services.

Services Offered

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating

How we chose the best moving companies in South Carolinatoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 32 South Carolina movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from Charleston to Columbia?

Even though you're staying inside of South Carolina, this is still considered a long-distance move by many moving companies. Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $549 - $2,292 $479 - $1,177 $121 - $177
2 - 3 bedrooms $997 - $3,165 $868 - $1,576 $129 - $222
4+ bedrooms $1,467 - $3,816 $1,158 - $1,859 $155 - $234

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 114 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

Considerations when moving from Charleston to Columbia

Cost of living: Charleston vs. Columbia

Charleston Columbia
Average rent cost $2,500 $1,447
Average home value $559,231 $220,612
Average income (per capita) $62,294 $64,683
Cost of living (single person) $5,300 $1,956
Cost of living (family of 4) $7,890 $4,274
Unemployment rate 4.0% 5.2%
  • Rent prices in Columbia are 42% lower than in Charleston.
  • Home prices in Columbia are 60.6% lower than in Charleston.
  • Income in Columbia is 3.8% higher than in Charleston.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 63.1% lower than in Charleston.
  • The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 45.8% lower than in Charleston.
  • The unemployment rate in Columbia is 30.00% higher than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,107.17 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. Columbia

Columbia Charleston
Population 136,632 150,277
Political leaning Democratic 56-43
Summer high 94ºF 89ºF
Winter low 35ºF 39ºF
Annual rain 46" 48"
Annual snow 1" 0"
Crime index 3.0 44.97
  • The population of Columbia is approximately 9% lower than the population of Charleston.
  • In the last presidential election, Columbia voted and Charleston voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Columbia is 94ºF and in Charleston, it’s 89ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Columbia reaches the temperature of 35ºF and Charleston gets down to 39ºF.
  • You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Columbia vs 48 inches of rainfall in Charleston.
  • In Columbia, it snows about 1 inch annually vs 0 inches of snow in Charleston.
  • Columbia has a lower crime rate than Charleston with a crime index of 44.97 vs 3.0.

Things to do in Columbia

Whether you prefer to be in the great outdoors, soak up some culture, or catch a live game, Columbia has plenty to offer:

Museums in Columbiatoggle

  • South Carolina State Museum
  • Columbia Museum of Art
  • South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
  • EdVenture Children's Museum
  • South Carolina Military Museum
  • McKissick Museum
  • U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum

Parks in Columbiatoggle

  • Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
  • Saluda Shoals Park
  • Sesquicentennial State Park
  • Finlay Park
  • Memorial Park
  • Seven Oaks Park
  • Granby Park
  • Earlewood Park

Sports Teams in Columbiatoggle

  • Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League)
  • South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)
  • Benedict Tigers (SIAC)

Universities in Columbiatoggle

  • Virginia College Columbia
  • University of Phoenix Columbia Campus
  • Allen University
  • Benedict College
  • Columbia College
  • University of South Carolina Columbia
  • W L Bonner College
  • Columbia International University
  • Medix School Fortis College

FAQ

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Charleston to Columbia?toggle

To ship furniture from Charleston to Columbia with a mover will cost between $549 and $2,292. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $997–$3,165, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Charleston to Columbia will cost from $1,467–$3,816.

How much are moving container companies from Charleston to Columbia?toggle

Moving containers from Charleston to Columbia will cost you $479 to $1,177 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $868 to $1,576. A larger home will cost $1,158 to $1,859.

How much is a moving truck from Charleston to Columbia?toggle

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $121 to $177. A larger move will cost $129 to $222, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Charleston to Columbia costs from $155 to $234.

How far in advance should I book Charleston-to-Columbia movers?toggle

Ideally, you should book your move from Charleston to Columbia at least two months in advance. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, it’s best to book your movers at least three months ahead of your move. The sooner you reserve your Charleston-to-Columbia movers, the better the chance you’ll get the most affordable rates and secure the exact moving date you need. Some movers even offer early-bird discounts for advance reservations.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Columbia?toggle

The cheapest time of year to move to Columbia is between early October and late April. This period of time is outside of the moving industry’s peak season (May–September), which means demand — and therefore pricing — will typically be lower. A majority of all U.S. moves happen between May and August, so staying outside the busy summer months will help you save money.

Learn more about your move to Columbia

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