($497) Movers From Columbia to Charleston

Quick answer: The average cost to move 114 miles from Columbia to Charleston, South Carolina, ranges from $127 to $2,979. 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
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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
read our full review
(855) 929-4120

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.

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
Two Men and a Truck has 238 customer reviews, with 75% of them being positive. Many customers praise the movers for their professionalism, efficiency, and care for belongings. They appreciate how the team communicates well and arrives on time. However, some customers reported issues like damage to items, unexpected charges, and poor customer service in handling complaints. Overall, while the service has a solid reputation, some experiences highlight areas for improvement compared to other moving companies.
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
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. has 154 online customer reviews, with 55% of them being positive. Customers praised the company for their friendly and professional staff, efficient service, and careful handling of items. However, many also reported issues such as damage to items, unexpected charges, and lack of communication. The feedback highlights that while the movers excel in customer service, they struggle with maintaining transparency in pricing and care for belongings during the moving process.
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
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 has 7 customer reviews, with 71% of feedback being positive. Customers praised the company's efficient service and excellent communication. Many appreciated the professionalism and politeness of the staff. However, some reported issues with damaged items and unprofessional behavior from the crew. The contrast in experiences shows that while many found them reliable, others faced significant challenges during their moves.
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 $497 - $2,205 $503 - $1,188 $116 - $175
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,028 - $2,979 $850 - $1,544 $127 - $222
4+ bedrooms $1,482 - $3,699 $1,181 - $2,015 $150 - $232

*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 $497 and $2,205. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $1,028–$2,979, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Columbia to Charleston will cost from $1,482–$3,699.

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

Moving containers from Columbia to Charleston will cost you $503 to $1,188 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $850 to $1,544. A larger home will cost $1,181 to $2,015.

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 $116 to $175. A larger move will cost $127 to $222, and a four-bedroom or larger move from Columbia to Charleston costs from $150 to $232.

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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