($603) Movers From Columbia to Charleston

Quick answer: The average cost to move 114 miles from Columbia to Charleston, South Carolina, ranges from $144 to $3,503. 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 Charleston to Columbia 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 Columbia to Charleston moving companies

Moving between two of South Carolina's major cities requires expert hands. Columbia to Charleston 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
Licensedcheckmark
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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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 825-0554
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 825-0554
Best for Contents Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
(866) 935-3437
At A Glance
  • Fragile packing
  • Storage options
  • 24/7 shipment tracking
  • Quick & efficient
  • Accurate quotes
read our full review
(866) 935-3437
Best customized Plans
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

Best local Columbia-to-Charleston movers

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

https://www.facebook.com/twomenandatruckcolumbiasc/, https://twitter.com/TwoMenColumbia/
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (31%)
  • Efficient service (29%)
  • Careful handling (25%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (27%)
  • Unexpected charges (23%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
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

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
https://www.facebook.com/GentlemenMoversSC/, https://twitter.com/gentlemenmover3?lang=en
Customer Praise
  • Professional and polite staff (25%)
  • Efficient service (23%)
  • Careful handling (20%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (30%)
  • Unexpected charges (25%)
  • Lack of communication (20%)
Review Analysis
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

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
https://www.facebook.com/JEGAMover/,
Customer Praise
  • Efficient service (43%)
  • Professional and polite staff (43%)
  • Good communication (43%)
Customer Complaints
  • Damage to items (43%)
  • Unprofessional behavior (43%)
  • Delayed arrival or delivery (14%)
Review Analysis
JEGA Movers LLC receives enthusiastic praise from customers who appreciate professional staff, careful handling of belongings, transparent pricing, strong communication, and efficient service. Most positive feedback highlights respectful treatment of cherished items and hassle-free booking. Negative input focuses on unprofessional behavior, property damage, and the company not delivering all promised services, like furniture reassembly and reliability. 42.9% of reviews express satisfaction, but more than half of the feedback reveals significant issues, suggesting higher concerns than seen with typical local moving companies. Those considering JEGA Movers should weigh reported customer service quality against consistent complaints about professionalism and property care.
Get a Quote (803) 888-0917

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

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 Columbia to Charleston?

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 $603 - $2,620 $580 - $1,412 $145 - $219
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,309 - $3,503 $1,063 - $1,968 $144 - $269
4+ bedrooms $1,795 - $4,534 $1,294 - $2,279 $175 - $278

*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 Columbia to Charleston

Cost of living: Columbia vs. Charleston

Columbia Charleston
Average rent cost $1,447 $2,500
Average home value $220,612 $559,231
Average income (per capita) $64,683 $62,294
Cost of living (single person) $1,956 $5,300
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,274 $7,890
Unemployment rate 5.2% 4.0%
  • Rent prices in Charleston are 73% higher than in Columbia.
  • Home prices in Charleston are 153.5% higher than in Columbia.
  • Income in Charleston is 3.7% lower than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Charleston is 171.0% higher than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a family in Charleston is 84.6% higher than in Columbia.
  • The unemployment rate in Charleston is 23.08% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $8,128.83 in Charleston to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Charleston

Charleston Columbia
Population 150,277 136,632
Political leaning Democratic 56-43
Summer high 89ºF 94ºF
Winter low 39ºF 35ºF
Annual rain 48" 46"
Annual snow 0" 1"
Crime index 44.97 3.0
  • The population of Charleston is approximately 10% greater than the population of Columbia.
  • In the last presidential election, Charleston voted Democratic and Columbia voted .
  • The average high in the summertime in Charleston is 89ºF and in Columbia, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Charleston reaches the temperature of 39ºF and Columbia gets down to 35ºF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in Charleston vs 46 inches of rainfall in Columbia.
  • In Charleston, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in Columbia.
  • Charleston has a higher crime rate than Columbia with a crime index of 44.97 vs 3.0.

Things to do in Charleston

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

Museums in Charlestontoggle

  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • Nathaniel Russell House
  • Old Slave Mart Museum
  • The Charleston Museum
  • Gibbes Museum of Art
  • Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
  • Confederate Museum
  • The Best Friend Train Museum
  • Postal Museum
  • South Carolina Historical Society Museum

Parks in Charlestontoggle

  • Middleton Place
  • Battery & White Point Gardens
  • Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
  • Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park
  • Hampton Park
  • Washington Square Colonial Lake

Sports Teams in Charlestontoggle

  • Charleston RiverDogs (Carolina League)

Universities in Charlestontoggle

  • Charleston School of Law
  • The Citadel College of Charleston
  • Medical University of South Carolina

FAQ

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

To ship furniture from Columbia to Charleston with a mover will cost between $603 and $2,620. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,309–$3,503, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Columbia to Charleston will cost from $1,795–$4,534.

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

Moving containers from Columbia to Charleston will cost you $580 to $1,412 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,063 to $1,968. A larger home will cost $1,294 to $2,279.

How much is a moving truck from Columbia to Charleston?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 $145 to $219. A larger move will cost $144 to $269, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Columbia to Charleston costs from $175 to $278.

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

Ideally, you should book your move from Columbia to Charleston 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 Columbia-to-Charleston 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 Charleston?toggle

The cheapest time of year to move to Charleston 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 Charleston

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