($525+) Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Moving from Columbia, SC, to Newark, NJ, runs anywhere from $525 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,947 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 695 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

  • Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,490, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,947 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,094 - $3,667, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $525 - $1,471.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbia, SC, to Newark, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,096 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Moving options from Columbia to Newark fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,096 - $5,585 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 695 miles and typically takes 1 to 6 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 695-mile route from Columbia to Newark, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,490 - $3,987 $1,094 - $1,962 $525 - $934 $1,004 - $1,837
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,096 - $5,585 $1,376 - $2,584 $578 - $1,203 $1,058 - $2,089
4+ bedrooms $3,890 - $7,947 $1,787 - $3,667 $693 - $1,471 $1,399 - $2,851

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Hiring full-service movers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Newark, New Jersey, costs between $1,490 and $7,947. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 695-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $319 - $2,124, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Columbia and Newark. For a rough baseline, movers based in Columbia tend to start around $262 plus $256/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbia to Newark:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,490 - $3,987
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,096 - $5,585
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,890 - $7,947

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Columbia to Newark.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from South Carolina to New Jersey. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.

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Specialty moving services from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Columbia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Newark, 94% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$531 - $5,310
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$212 - $1,274/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$319 - $2,549
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$1,062 - $3,186
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,655 - $10,620
Car shippingSecond vehicle$795 - $1,511
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items29% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage$1,062 - $2,655
PianoAny piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$850 - $3,717
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$319 - $1,593
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Gentlemen Movers Inc.$690 - $2,124
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$319 - $15,930+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$319 - $3,717+

What are the best full-service movers from Columbia to Newark?

New Jersey Warehouse & Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in New Jersey, on top of the picks below.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Columbia, SC. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Moving containers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $1,094 and $3,667. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Columbia runs about $50/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbia to Newark:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,094 - $1,962
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,376 - $2,584
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,787 - $3,667

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Columbia, SC, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $743, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $80 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $159 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Columbia, SC, and Newark, NJ, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to New Jersey move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,094. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,376 - $2,584, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Columbia to Newark?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Columbia to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Columbia:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
  • College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5)
  • Undergrads Moving (4.8/5)

Moving truck rental costs from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Renting a moving truck for the 695-mile move from Columbia, South Carolina, to Newark, New Jersey, costs between $525 and $1,471, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $235 - $268
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Columbia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $39.95
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Columbia to Newark based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $525 - $934
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $578 - $1,203
  • 4+ bedrooms: $693 - $1,471

Pro tip: A rental truck from Columbia to Newark looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $525 - $1,471. But once you factor in fuel ($235 - $268) , overnight lodging ($159/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $235 - $268 for the 695-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $743.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 695-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $159 per night, adding $319 - $478 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $53 and $319.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbia to Newark?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ

Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Columbia, South Carolina, to Newark, New Jersey. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.

Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,058 and $2,089.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbia to Newark:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,004 - $1,837
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,058 - $2,089
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,399 - $2,851

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $80 and $159.
  • Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
  • Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for roughly five hours typically average $743.

What are the best freight companies from Columbia to Newark?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Newark fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Columbia, SC vs Newark, NJ

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Newark, side by side with Columbia on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Columbia, SC Newark, NJ
Cost of living index87135
Average rent$1,447/mo$2,300/mo
Median home value$241,128$335,418
Average income$55,653/yr$48,416/yr
Unemployment rate5.2%13.0%
State income taxUp to 7.0%Up to 10.7%
Walkability score35/10076/100
Safety index48.39/10024.76/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from South Carolina to New Jersey, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. South Carolina alone has 53 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 695-mile move like this one.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 695-mile route from Columbia, SC, to Newark, NJ, run $1,490 - $7,947 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,094 - $3,667, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $525 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,096, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Panasonic Corporation of North America and Prudential Financial.

FAQs: Moving from Columbia, SC, to Newark, NJ

How much does it cost to move from Columbia, SC to Newark, NJ?

Costs on this route range from around $1,490 to $7,947, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,490 and $7,947, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What size moving truck do I need for this route?

Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.

What do local movers charge in Columbia?

Local movers based in Columbia typically start around $262 as a base rate, plus $256/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Newark run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.

What are the best neighborhoods in Newark?

For families, Downtown, Upper Vailsburg, and Seventh Avenue are worth a look in Newark. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Ironbound, South Ironbound, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.

What percentage of Columbia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 71% of movers in Columbia handle piano moves, and 29% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.