Moving from Madison to Columbia (Movers from $1,459)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Jun 1, 2024 • 5 min read
Fact Checked by: Erika Marty

Quick answer: A move from Madison to Columbia costs $824 to $7,166 and takes 2-7 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 948-mile move yourself.

Hiring a long-distance moving company from Madison will be more expensive, while renting a truck or using a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

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

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for complex moves North American Van Lines rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 74 years in biz 1,800 trucks Storage available Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best for high-end moves JK Moving Services rating 4.25 / 5 Licensed Insured Price White glove Expensive items Guaranteed delivery Get A Quote % of users select this mover

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

Madison movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:

Factors influencing moving costs from Madison to Columbia

The cost of Madison 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 Madison to Columbia can be as low as $1,459 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $8,745.
• Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Madison, 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 $817 to $1,949. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

How much are professional moving companies when moving from Madison to Columbia?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Madison to Columbia will cost between $1,459 to $6,064. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home will range from $2,989 to $7,166, and a four-bedroom move or bigger move from Madison to Columbia will cost from $4,966 to $10,067.

How much are moving container companies from Madison to Columbia?

Moving containers from Madison to Columbia will cost you $990 to $2,432 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,794 to $3,665. A larger home will cost $2,392 to $4,856.

How much is a moving truck from Madison to Columbia?

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 $817 to $1,488. A larger move will cost $824 to $1,804, and a four-bedroom move from Madison to Columbia costs from $1,034 to $2,192. These estimates include the anticipated fuel cost.

The best Madison to Columbia moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company to go from Madison to Columbia is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don't worry, you won't have to filter through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Madison to Columbia.

Best Overall Value Safeway Moving rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Best overall value Portion to charity Veteran owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best industry reputation American Van Lines rating 4.5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 20 yrs experience Flat rate pricing Family owned Get A Quote % of users select this mover

Best Upfront Pricing Mayzlin Relocation rating 4.45 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Family owned East coast focus Affordable pricing Get A Quote % of users select this mover

• Safeway Moving, 4.5 out of 5
• American Van Lines, 4.5 out of 5
• Mayzlin Relocation, 4.45 out of 5
• North American Van Lines, 4.25 out of 5
• JK Moving Services, 4.25 out of 5

Pros and cons of moving from Madison to Columbia

Cost of living: Madison vs Columbia

• Rent prices in Columbia are 10% lower than in Madison.
• Home prices in Columbia are 40.0% lower than in Madison.
• Income in Columbia is 2.8% higher than in Madison.
• The cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 14.7% lower than in Madison.
• The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 21.7% lower than in Madison.
• The unemployment rate in Columbia is 57.58% higher than in Madison.
• Sales taxes in Columbia are 45.45% higher than in Madison.
• State income taxes in Columbia are 8.50% lower than in Madison.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $2,560.21 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How is life different in Madison compared to Columbia?

• Columbia's population is about 49% less than Madison.
• Columbia's public transportation has a score of 5 out of 10 versus Madison's lower score of 6.
• Columbia is less walkable than Madison with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Madison's 50 out of 100.
• Columbia is less bike-friendly than Madison with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Madison's 66.
• Columbia's crime rate is lower than Madison with a score of 3.0 compared to Madison's 34.57. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Madison neighborhoods are safer than 34.57%.
• Columbia is considered to be less safe than Madison with a score of 48.39 vs Madison's 65.43.
• Air quality in Columbia is good, and in Madison it's good.

Considerations for moving to Columbia

• Weather: If you're considering to move to Columbia, SC, better to consider during October, April and May to make sure weather will be pleasant..
• 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: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: South Carolina 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 Columbia. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Local Madison movers

Company	Quote	Rating	Contact
most popular Two Men and a Truck	Get A Quote	4.62 overall rating	3817 Kipp Street, Madison, WI, 53718 (608) 340-1557
Armstrong relocation	Get A Quote	4.52 overall rating	4505 Helgesen Dr, Madison, WI, 53718 (608) 838-5940
Top Notch Moving and Storage	Get A Quote	4.24 overall rating	905 Dempsey Rd, Madison, WI, 53716 (608) 590-3710

Visit our best long distance movers in Madison page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Columbia

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

Best neighborhoods for singles:

• Cayce
• Seven Oaks
• Forest Acres
• Irmo
• Lexington
• West Columbia
• St. Andrews
• Woodfield

Best neighborhoods for families:

• Irmo
• Forest Acres
• Lexington
• Blythewood
• Seven Oaks
• Chapin
• Cayce
• Oak Grove

What to do in Columbia

These are some of the best things to do in your new South Carolina home.

• Riverbanks Zoo
• Riverbanks Botanical Garden
• South Carolina State House
• South Carolina State Museum
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
• Columbia Museum of Art
• University of South Carolina Visitor Center
• Waverly Historic District
• EdVenture Children's Museum

Get your sports on!

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

Helpful moving resources