Best Movers Near Columbia, IL (2025 Guide)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025 • 5 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Among the many moving companies operating in Illinois, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK rose to the top for local moves in Columbia, IL. Our recommendation is based on 361 online reviews — 75.9% of which are positive — and a comprehensive review of 100 companies statewide.

For interstate relocations, Safeway Moving consistently impresses with their combination of service quality and overall value.

Hi, I'm Ryan.
Let's get moving.

I've helped thousands of people move over the last decade, and I can tell you that no two moves are exactly alike. Let me help you find the mover that's right for you.

Best local IL mover:

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

4.7
Best interstate mover:

Safeway Moving

4.85
Best DIY moving option:

U-Haul Truck Rental

4.15

Need more help? Build your move plan.

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Preferred partners

Company	Quote	Rating
Safeway Moving	Get A Quote	4.85 / 5
International Van Lines	Get A Quote	4.45 / 5
Mayzlin Relocation	Get A Quote	4.9 / 5

Our track record

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

Founded in 2015
3,500+ moving companies analyzed
$50,000 in moving grants delivered
Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
Fact-checked for accuracy

5 Cheapest movers when moving locally in Columbia, IL

Whether you're planning a move within Columbia or relocating to a nearby Illinois city like Dupo or Millstadt (both under 50 miles away), we’ve rounded up some of the best local movers that combine solid reputations with affordable pricing.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.7 out of 5 stars
ABC Quality Moving & Storage: 4.56 out of 5 stars
Arch Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
McGuire Moving and Storage: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Simple Moves: 4.62 out of 5 stars

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

10966 Gravois Industrial Court, St. Louis, MO 63128 US

76% of all reviews were positive

22% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Moving day made simple: feedback from 361 reviewers shows two out of three customers raved about Two Men and a Truck’s speed, careful handling, and positive, professional attitude. Three out of four reviews praised efficient service, noting teams that work quickly while respecting belongings and property. Customers repeatedly mention helpful staff making moves less stressful. On the downside, about 22% flagged issues, with damaged items as the top concern. Some reported belongings arrived scratched or broken, while others found their final bills exceeded estimates by hundreds of dollars. Delays or late arrivals also frustrated a portion of customers. Compared to many movers, Two Men and a Truck earns higher marks for courtesy and efficiency, but shoppers sensitive to cost or worried about valuables should stay vigilant and clarify terms before moving day.

Get a Quote (314) 270-5758

Company Info

State license #: 714664

Years in Business: 31

DOT #: 2527384

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Pianos
Storage
Safes
Pay by credit card

ABC Quality Moving & Storage

3050 Armona Dr, St. Louis, MO 63129 US

84% of all reviews were positive

16% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Customers call ABC Quality Moving & Storage a top pick for efficient moves, friendly crews, and professional handling, with 263 reviews showing 83.7% positive feedback. People highlight how quickly movers work, their politeness, and care with belongings. Many say teams go above and beyond—packing thoroughly and sharing a helpful attitude. Customers also praise how approachable the staff is and report competitive, transparent pricing compared to other movers. On the other hand, negative input makes it clear damage to items happens more often than expected, and reports of unprofessional behavior and missed deadlines appear in several reviews. Some say response to complaints or claims lags, or that movers lacked care when handling furniture and property. Service reliability and professionalism seem above average for the local market, but unresolved damage and communication problems place ABC behind standout companies. Clients looking for fast, careful service will likely enjoy a smooth experience; those who value guarantee against mishaps or perfect support post-move should review terms closely before booking.

Get a Quote (314) 772-1887

Company Info

State license #: 987335

Years in Business: 36

DOT #: 987335

Alternate Names: ABC Quality Moving

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Hot Tubs
Pool Tables
Art
Antiques
Grandfather clocks
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by money order
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Arch Moving

1316 S 2nd St,, St. Louis, MO 63104 US

58% of all reviews were positive

33% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Customer input reveals Arch Moving stands out for efficient service, professional and polite staff, and careful handling—traits that rank it higher than many competitors. Out of 76 reviews analyzed, 58% were positive. Customers highlight quick moving, helpful movers, and care for belongings as main strengths. On the other hand, 33% of input cited problems, mainly damage to items, inexperienced movers, and lack of communication. Multiple customers experienced property or item damage, with some reports of lost items and unsatisfactory claims processes. Others found crews lacking experience or communication lacking, particularly from office staff. While many noted friendly, hardworking movers and fast, well-organized moves, negative feedback points to greater risk of damage or mishandling than top-rated moving companies. Those seeking value and efficiency often found the service met or exceeded expectations, yet those who value reliability and item safety should proceed with caution and discuss coverage and experience with the company before booking.

Get a Quote (314) 964-5557

Company Info

State license #: 2969512

Pricing: $150/hr

Years in Business: 22

DOT #: 2969512

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Fragile-only packing
Safes
Pay by money order
Pay by credit card

McGuire Moving and Storage

8645 South Broadway,, St. Louis, MO 63111 US

82% of all reviews were positive

17% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Customer input paints McGuire Moving and Storage as a leader for professionalism and skilled handling. Of 130 reviews, 82% were favorable, with clients praising the courteous staff, careful approach, efficiency, and effective communication. The company’s teams consistently earn recommendations, with multiple customers reporting stress-free and damage-free moves. Negative feedback, making up about 17%, centers on item damage, lost belongings, and select instances of unprofessionalism or poor service recovery. Despite a few cases of unresolved issues, customers more often highlight reliability and a hands-on approach not easily found with competitors. McGuire sets itself apart by maintaining a highly praised team and strong follow-up, though, on rare occasions, resolution on damage or loss lags behind client expectations.

Get a Quote (314) 241-0600

Company Info

State license #: 2256609

Years in Business: 45

DOT #: 2256609

Alternate Names: McGuire Moving Co.

Services Offered

Local moves
Interstate moves
International moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing

Simple Moves

10755 Page Avenue,, St. Louis, MO 63132 US

82% of all reviews were positive

17% of reviews were negative

Read Reviews

Review Analysis

Simple Moves racks up an impressive 82% positive feedback across 450 customer reviews, with just under 17% reporting negative experiences. Clients praise the company’s efficient service, careful handling of belongings, professional and polite staff, quick moving times, and affordable rates. Many remark on how the team completes moves swiftly while maintaining great care and friendliness, often outperforming bigger-name competitors on both price and customer service. On the downside, the majority of criticisms mention damage to furniture or property, delayed arrivals or missed time windows, and a lack of follow-up or response from management when issues arose. While most find the moving crews helpful and reliable, those with more complex moves or high-value items should note the feedback on inconsistent packing quality and rare breakdowns in communication. Compared to other movers, Simple Moves stands out for affordability and efficiency but, like most budget-friendly services, careful attention to special handling details may require clear advance coordination.

Get a Quote (314) 963-3416

Company Info

State license #: 1653733

Pricing: $145/hr

Years in Business: 24

DOT #: 1653733

Services Offered

Local moves
Packing
Unpacking
Offices
Pianos
Art
Antiques
Crating
Full-valuation coverage
Storage
Fragile-only packing
Pay by money order
Pay by cash
Pay by credit card

Local moving services in Columbia

Not all moving companies offer the same services, and availability can vary widely depending on where you're located.

Here’s a quick look at how many movers in Columbia, IL, offer key services, compared with the statewide and national numbers so you can see which specialty services may be harder to find in your area.

Service	Columbia	IL	National
Packing	12	95	3073
Unpacking	12	91	2973
Packing Materials	10	50	1809
Piano	9	70	2303
Antiques	5	48	1466
Debris Removal	4	28	820
Art	6	50	1451
Storage	11	89	2695
Climate-Controlled Storage	6	34	1032
Small Moves	11	51	1552
Fragile-Only Packing	5	30	748
Custom Crating	8	57	1932
Grandfather Clock	2	16	409
Hot Tub	2	19	693
Junk Removal	6	40	1152
Office Moves	10	82	2708
Pool Table	3	28	972
Safe	5	42	1158

Other local IL movers

While these local Illinois movers did not make our top list, they are still worth looking into:

Top-rated movers in other nearby Illinois cities

Can’t find the right service in your area? Browse other top-rated movers in Illinois for more options nearby.

See less

Cheapest movers when moving out of Illinois

Making a move from Illinois to another state? You'll want a reliable interstate moving company to handle the journey. Check out our top picks

Safeway Moving: 4.85 out of 5 stars
International Van Lines: 4.45 out of 5 stars
Mayzlin Relocation: 4.9 out of 5 stars
PODS: 4.8 out of 5 stars
American Van Lines: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Safeway Moving

rating

4.85 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned

Get A Quote

(855) 650-0657

International Van Lines

rating

4.45 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

24/7 cust. service
Competitive rates
10% discounts

Get A Quote

(855) 929-4120

Mayzlin Relocation

rating

4.9 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Family owned
East coast focus
Affordable pricing

Get A Quote

(980) 217-6841

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

American Van Lines

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Certified crews
Flat-rate pricing
Family-owned

Get A Quote

866-835-2392

Cheapest DIY moving options in Columbia, IL

Going with a full-service mover for your Columbia, Illinois move is the easiest way to go. That convenience can be costly, however. To keep moving costs lower, consider using one of the leading moving container companies, or a rental truck provider in Columbia.

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

U-Pack

rating

5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Check prices Visit Website

MovingYourself

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Offers car shipping
No hidden fees

Get A Quote

(352) 322-2920

Budget Truck Rental

rating

4.3 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Check prices Visit Website

Good news for DIY movers: You don’t have to do the heavy lifting alone. Columbia has 10 labor-only moving services ready to assist with loading and unloading your truck or container by the hour.

How we chose the best movers in Columbia, IL

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 82 Illinois movers and listed the top five best movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

Average cost of movers in Columbia, IL

Check out the pricing table below to get a rough idea of what local moves typically cost in and around the Columbia area. For a deeper dive, be sure to explore our guide on the moving costs in Illinois.

Keep in mind that the moving quotes shown are general estimates. Your actual expenses may vary based on your specific moving situation. For a more accurate estimate, try our moving cost calculator.

Home Size	Avg. Total Cost	Cost/hour	# of Movers	# Hours
Studio	$882	$741	2 movers	3 hours
1 Bedroom	$1,623	$741	2 movers	4 hours
2 Bedroom	$3,255	$1,038	3 movers	5 hours
3 Bedroom	$8,859	$1,453	4 movers	8 hours
4 Bedroom	$10,313	$1,453	4 movers	9 hours
5+ Bedroom	$16,422	$2,035	5 movers	10 hours

Compare the top Columbia, IL movers

Let’s compare how the top movers in Columbia, IL stack up in terms of their reputation.

Company	moveBuddha rating	BBB rating	Yelp rating	Google rating
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK	4.7/5	A+	2.7/5	4.7/5
ABC Quality Moving & Storage	4.6/5	A+	3.8/5	/5
Arch Moving	4.6/5	A+	3.1/5	4.8/5
McGuire Moving and Storage	4.5/5	A+	3.4/5	4.5/5
Simple Moves	4.6/5	A+	3.8/5	4.6/5
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving	4.5/5	B+	3.6/5	4.8/5
Federal Companies	4.5/5	A+		4.6/5
All My Sons Moving & Storage	4.4/5	A	1.3/5	4.2/5
Cord Moving and Storage	4.4/5	A+	3/5	4.6/5
Sebastian Moving	4.4/5	A+	3.8/5	4.9/5

FAQs

How many movers in Columbia offer discounts?

Not every moving company posts their discounts online, but many still offer them — especially for those in qualifying groups. It’s worth asking about current promotions during the quote process.

1 movers offer discounted rates for seniors. Details may vary by company, so don’t forget to ask for a complete breakdown of available deals.

How can I verify if my mover is legally licensed?

In Illinois, regulations on in-state moves and local movers are set forth by the Illinois Commerce Commission. To move household goods locally and intrastate, companies need to have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, so make sure the companies you’re considering have one and that it’s current.

Every mover featured in our guide is fully licensed. Check out our best movers in Illinois page for top picks.

What should I look for in a reputable Columbia mover?

Choosing a reputable Columbia moving company doesn’t have to be hard if you focus on a few key considerations:

Reputation: Whether it's a family-run business or a major van lines provider, their reputation tells you a lot about what to expect.
Dispute resolution: Companies with many unresolved issues are red flags. Even top Columbia movers have occasional hiccups— it’s how they handle them that matters.
Move-specific experience: Just because a mover is great for local jobs doesn't mean they’re ready for your long-distance move. Ask about their experience with moves like yours.

Can Columbia movers help with long-distance relocations?

While some Columbia movers stick to local moves only, 11 can help with out-of-state and long-distance relocations. If you're planning an out-of-state move, check out our list of the best long-distance movers in Columbia.

Which day of the week is cheapest for hiring movers in Columbia, IL?

Movers in Columbia, Illinois, are often cheaper to hire on weekdays, as weekends see higher demand and pricing. According to our research, the cheapest moving period is from October through April—outside the peak May to September season.

To cut costs, book your Columbia move as early as possible. Avoid high-demand days like weekends, holidays, and summer months. And be wary of movers who offer extremely low quotes. They might raise prices at the last minute.

What’s the most affordable way to relocate from Columbia, IL?

Renting a truck is often considered the cheapest way to move out of state or within Columbia, Illinois. It’s also the most hands-on — expect to manage the packing, lifting, and driving on your own.

Is a moving container a good option for relocating from Columbia?

Moving containers let you move on your timeline, but keep in mind you’ll be doing all the loading and unloading yourself. After you're packed, the company picks up the container and delivers it to your new home, eliminating the need to drive a moving truck.