($1,246) Movers From Columbia, SC to Arlington, VA

Quick answer: A move from Columbia to Arlington costs $490–$5,697 and takes one to four 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 475-mile move yourself.

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We know that every move from Columbia to Arlington 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 Arlington to Columbia guide.

The best Columbia to Arlington full-service moving companies

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

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
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  • 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
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  • 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
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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 Arlington?toggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Columbia to Arlington will cost between $1,246 to $3,441. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,123 to $5,697, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Columbia to Arlington will cost from $3,635 to $7,845.

The best moving containers for your Columbia to Arlington move

Moving containers can be a cost-effective option for moving from Columbia to Arlington. 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
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How much are moving container companies from Columbia to Arlington?toggle

Moving containers from Columbia to Arlington will cost you $722 to $1,825 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,358 to $2,514. A larger home will cost $1,824 to $3,362.

The best moving truck rentals for your Columbia to Arlington move

If you want to save even more money on your Columbia to Arlington 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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How much is a moving truck from Columbia to Arlington?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 $455 to $874. A larger move will cost $490 to $1,037, and a four-bedroom move from Columbia to Arlington costs from $610 to $1,226. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

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

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

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 $1,246 - $3,441 $722 - $1,825 $455 - $874
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,123 - $5,697 $1,358 - $2,514 $490 - $1,037
4+ bedrooms $3,635 - $7,845 $1,824 - $3,362 $610 - $1,226
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 475 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 Arlingtontoggle

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 Arlington can be as low as $1,246 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $6,847.
  • 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 $455 to $1,137. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Columbia to Arlington

Columbia Arlington
Average rent cost $1,447 $2,718
Average home value $220,612 $810,670
Average income (per capita) $64,683 $128,145
Cost of living (single person) $1,956 $6,867
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,274 $11,970
Unemployment rate 5.2% 4.0%
Sales tax 8.0% 6.0%
State income tax 7.0% 5.75%
  • Rent prices in Arlington are 88% higher than in Columbia.
  • Home prices in Arlington are 267.5% higher than in Columbia.
  • Income in Arlington is 98.1% higher than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a single person in Arlington is 251.1% higher than in Columbia.
  • The cost of living for a family in Arlington is 180.1% higher than in Columbia.
  • The unemployment rate in Arlington is 23.08% lower than in Columbia.
  • Sales taxes in Arlington are 25.00% lower than in Columbia.
  • State income taxes in Arlington are 17.86% lower than in Columbia.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $10,532.21 in Arlington to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbia.

How life is different in Columbia vs. Arlington

Arlington Columbia
Population 238,643 136,632
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 9 5
Walkability score 71 35
Bike friendliness score 72 35
Crime Index 15.67 3.0
Safety Index 79.15 48.39
Air Quality Good Good
  • Arlington's population is about 75% greater than Columbia.
  • Arlington's public transportation has a score of 9 out of 10 versus Columbia's higher score of 5.
  • Arlington is more walkable than Columbia with a score of 71 out of 100 vs Columbia's 35 out of 100.
  • With a score of 72 out of 100, Arlington is more bike-friendly than Columbia, which has a score of 35 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
  • Arlington's crime rate is higher than Columbia with a score of 15.67 compared to Columbia's 3.0. This means that Arlington neighborhoods are safer than 15.67% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0%.
  • Arlington is considered to be safer than Columbia with a safety index of 79.15 vs Columbia's 48.39.
  • Air quality in Arlington is good, and in Columbia it's good.

Other things to consider for your Columbia vs. Arlington move

  • Weather: Arlington has hot humid summers, mild to moderately cold winters, and pleasant spring and fall seasons.
  • 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: In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Virginia moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: Virginia 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 Arlington. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Arlington

Now that you've decided to make the move to "", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Arlington.

Best neighborhoods for singlestoggle

  • Aurora Highlands
  • Ballston-Virginia Square
  • Bluemont
  • Clarendon-Courthouse
  • Radnor-Ft Myer Heights

Best neighborhoods for familiestoggle

  • Arlington Ridge
  • Barcroft
  • Chain Bridge Forest
  • Cherrydale
  • Dominion Hills
  • Forest Glen
  • Lyon Village
  • Penrose
  • Westover Village

Things to do in Arlingtontoggle

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

  • Arts and culture: Arlington is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the JW Tumbles, Ball-Sellers House Museum, David M. Brown Planetarium, Arlington Historical Museum, and Arlington Arts Center.
  • Outdoor recreation: The city’s Gravelly Point Park, Long Bridge Park, Bon Air Park, and Upton Hill Regional 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 game.

FAQ

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

The best time to move from Columbia to Arlington 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 Arlington?

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

The 475-mile move from Columbia, SC, to Arlington, VA, takes one to four 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 Arlington.

Helpful moving resources