($1,194) Movers From Columbia, SC to Detroit, MI

Quick answer: A move from Columbia to Detroit costs $595–$5,893 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 716-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Columbia to Detroit is different. Choose the type of move that is best for you.
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Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Detroit to Columbia guide.

The best Columbia to Detroit full-service moving companies

Choosing a long-distance moving company in Columbia to go to Detroit 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 Columbia to Detroit.

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
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(855) 650-0657
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(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
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(866) 825-0554
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(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
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(844) 950-2963
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  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
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  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
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(844) 950-2963

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Columbia to Detroit?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Columbia to Detroit will cost between $1,194 to $3,998. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,357 to $5,893, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Columbia to Detroit will cost from $3,932 to $8,244.

The best moving containers for your Columbia to Detroit move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Columbia to Detroit. 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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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

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

Moving containers from Columbia to Detroit will cost you $851 to $2,060 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,442 to $2,854. A larger home will cost $2,011 to $3,937.

The best moving truck rentals for your Columbia to Detroit move

If you want to save even more money on your Columbia to Detroit 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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  • Affordable pricing
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  • Several discounts
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  • Most expensive
  • 4 truck sizes
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How much is a moving truck from Columbia to Detroit?toggle

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $563 to $1,068. A larger move will cost $595 to $1,346, and a four-bedroom move from Columbia to Detroit costs from $823 to $1,536. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best labor-only movers for your Columbia to Detroit 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 Columbia to Detroit:

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

Columbia movers charge $256 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
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,194 - $3,998 $851 - $2,060 $563 - $1,068
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,357 - $5,893 $1,442 - $2,854 $595 - $1,346
4+ bedrooms $3,932 - $8,244 $2,011 - $3,937 $823 - $1,536
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 716 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.

Factors influencing moving costs from Columbia to Detroittoggle

The cost of Columbia movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Columbia to Detroit can be as low as $1,194 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $7,210.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Columbia, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $563 to $1,352. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Columbia to Detroit

Columbia Detroit
Average rent cost $1,447 $1,250
Average home value $220,612 $73,156
Average income (per capita) $64,683 $37,761
Cost of living (single person) $1,956 $1,175
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,274 $4,145
Unemployment rate 5.2% 9.06%
Sales tax 8.0% 6.0%
State income tax 7.0% 4.25%
  • Rent prices in Detroit are 14% lower than in Columbia.
  • Home prices in Detroit are 66.8% lower than in Columbia.
  • Income in Detroit is 41.6% lower than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Detroit is 39.9% lower than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a family in Detroit is 3.0% lower than in Columbia.
  • The unemployment rate in Detroit is 74.23% higher than in Columbia.
  • Sales taxes in Detroit are 25.00% lower than in Columbia.
  • State income taxes in Detroit are 39.29% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,802.15 in Detroit to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Detroit

Detroit Columbia
Population 639,111 136,632
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 7 5
Walkability score 51 35
Bike friendliness score 52 35
Crime Index 72.92 3.0
Safety Index 27.08 48.39
Air Quality Good Good
  • Detroit's population is about 368% greater than Columbia.
  • Detroit's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus Columbia's higher score of 5.
  • Detroit is more walkable than Columbia with a score of 51 out of 100 vs Columbia's 35 out of 100.
  • Detroit is more bike-friendly than Columbia with a score of 52 out of 100 vs Columbia's 35.
  • Detroit's crime rate is higher than Columbia with a score of 72.92 compared to Columbia's 3.0. This means that Detroit neighborhoods are safer than 72.92% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0%.
  • Detroit is considered to be less safe than Columbia with a score of 27.08 vs Columbia's 48.39.
  • Air quality in Detroit is good, and in Columbia it's good.

Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. Detroit move

  • Weather: Detroit winters are cold, with moderate snowfall and temperatures not rising above freezing on an average 44 days annually. Summers are warm to hot with temperatures exceeding. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid heavy snowfall during your move.
  • 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Michigan 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 Detroit. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Detroit

Now that you've decided to make the move to "America's Comeback City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Detroit.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Corktown
  • Brush Park
  • Woodbridge
  • Downtown
  • Lafayette Park

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Sherwood Forest
  • Palmer Woods
  • University District
  • Corktown
  • Lafayette Park

Things to do in Detroittoggle

After settling into your new Michigan home, you’ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Detroit has lots to offer, no matter what you’re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Detroit is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit Historical Museum, and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Belle Isle Park, Beacon Park, Palmer Park, and Balduck Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Detriot Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Lions (NFL), or Detroit Pistons (NBA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Columbia to Detroit?

The best time to move from Columbia to Detroit is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Columbia.

When is the cheapest time to move from Columbia to Detroit?

Because most people are moving from Columbia to Detroit 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 Columbia to Detroit take?

The 716-mile move from Columbia, SC, to Detroit, MI, takes one to six days. Some Columbia movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Detroit.

Helpful moving resources