($1,167+) Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Columbia, SC, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $1,167 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,947 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,019 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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 $2,313, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,947 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,513 - $5,660, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,167 - $3,311.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Columbia, SC, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,320 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ
There are 3 main ways to move from Columbia to Tempe: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $3,320 - $7,151. Moving containers run about 42% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 63% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 6 to 17 days for this 2,019-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,019-mile route from Columbia to Tempe, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $2,313 - $5,087 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,513 - $3,143), rental truck ($1,167 - $2,271), or freight trailer ($1,418 - $2,775). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $3,320 - $7,151 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,947.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ
Full-service movers for the 2,019-mile relocation from Columbia, South Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $2,313 and $9,947. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $292 - $1,948, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Columbia typically charge a base rate around $262 plus $256 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Columbia to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,313 - $5,087
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,320 - $7,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,160 - $9,947
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 Tempe.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Columbia movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing73% of local movers | $487 - $4,870 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $195 - $1,169/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $292 - $2,338 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage4% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $974 - $2,922 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,435 - $9,740 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $730 - $1,386 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Gentlemen Movers Inc. | $974 - $2,435 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $779 - $3,409 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $292 - $1,461 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $633 - $1,948 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $292 - $14,610+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $292 - $3,409+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Columbia to Tempe?
Movers licensed to operate in Arizona are typically members of the Arizona Moving Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, combining 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Columbia, SC. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Columbia, South Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,513 and $5,660. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Columbia typically runs around $50/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Columbia to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,513 - $3,143
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,937 - $4,153
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,793 - $5,660
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $73 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $146 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $682 in Columbia, SC, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Tempe, AZ, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a South Carolina to Arizona 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 $1,513. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,937 - $4,153.
What are the best moving containers Columbia to Tempe?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Tempe, AZ
Truck rentals from Columbia, South Carolina, to Tempe, Arizona, range from $1,167 - $3,311 for the 2,019-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $626 - $715
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Columbia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $39.95
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Columbia to Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,167 - $2,271
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,238 - $2,573
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,311
Pro tip: A rental truck from Columbia to Tempe looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,167 - $3,311. But once you factor in fuel ($626 - $715), overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $73 and $341.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $146.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $626 and $715 for the 2,019-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $682 for 2 movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Columbia to Tempe?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Tempe, AZ
If you're moving a larger household from Columbia, South Carolina, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Tempe, Arizona.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,713 and $3,456.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Columbia to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,418 - $2,775
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,713 - $3,456
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,123 - $4,754
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $73 - $146 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Columbia, South Carolina, for about five hours typically runs $682.
What are the best freight companies from Columbia to Tempe?
- 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.
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Columbia to Tempe, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Columbia, SC vs Tempe, AZ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tempe, side by side with Columbia on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Columbia, SC | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 87 | 113 |
| Average rent | $1,447/mo | $1,834/mo |
| Median home value | $241,128 | $421,086 |
| Average income | $55,653/yr | $77,643/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.0% | Up to 2.5% |
| Walkability score | 35/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 48.39/100 | 57.64/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Tempe, AZ 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 Arizona, 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 155 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,019-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 2,019-mile move from Columbia, SC, to Tempe, AZ, costs between $2,313 and $9,947 with full-service movers, $1,513 - $5,660 with a moving container, and $1,167 - $3,311 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,320 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Columbia, SC, to Tempe, AZ
What is the best time of year to move from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ?
Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Arizona?
Though Arizona is largely an “unregulated” state, local moving companies are subject to some Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and Department of Weights and Measures regulations intended to ensure that they operate safely and ethically.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($626 - $715), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is Tempe?
Tempe has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 75, compared to 35 and 35 in Columbia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
How much does it cost to move from Columbia, SC to Tempe, AZ?
Costs on this route range from around $1,167 to $9,947, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,313 and $9,947, 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 percentage of Columbia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Columbia handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.