Top Huntsville, AL to Columbia, SC Movers

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

1. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.72 out of 5 stars
2. Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
3. This Side Up Moving & Storage : 4.66 out of 5 stars
4. Applewhite Movers LLC: 4.62 out of 5 stars
5. Black Tie Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Alabama to South Carolina

If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Alabama to South Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,147 and $3,524. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $2,039 to $5,593 for the trip from AL to SC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $3,571 and $7,898.

Cost of moving containers from Alabama to South Carolina

If you're relocating from Alabama to South Carolina, you'll typically spend between $723 and $1,713 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,359 up to $2,401. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $1,698 and $3,000. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Alabama.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Alabama to South Carolina

Renting a moving truck is usually your cheapest option, but keep in mind you'll be handling all the loading, unloading, and driving yourself.

If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment with a rental truck, expect to spend between $418 and $760. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $433 and $866. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $512 up to $1,049 for your rental truck.

These quotes include estimated fuel costs.

• You may want to budget more for rent in Columbia, since prices are typically 3% higher than in Huntsville.
• In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Columbia.
  Home prices in Columbia are 17.3% lower than in Huntsville.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 6.1% higher than in Huntsville. Major employers in Columbia include Pure Fishing, LexiCode, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
• Get ready to save some money on recurring expenses like food, gas, and utility bills in Columbia. On average, the cost of living for a single person there is 37.6% lower than in Huntsville.
• If you're moving your family to Columbia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 3.2% higher than in Huntsville.
• The unemployment rate in Columbia is 67.74% higher than in Huntsville.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Columbia, since the city's sales taxes in Columbia are 11.11% lower than in Huntsville.
• State income taxes in Columbia are 40.00% higher than in Huntsville.

• Columbia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 43% less than Huntsville.
• Columbia offers better access to buses and trains than Huntsville, based on public transportation ratings. Columbia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Huntsville. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Columbia means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Huntsville. Columbia is considered more walkable than Huntsville, with a score of 35 out of 100 versus 24 out of 100 in Huntsville. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Columbia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Huntsville. While Huntsville has a bike-friendliness score of 40 out of 100, Columbia earned a 35. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• Columbia has a lower crime rate than Huntsville based on scores of 3.0 and Huntsville's 42.55, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Columbia. With a crime index of 48.39, Columbia ranks lower in overall safety than Huntsville, whose index is 57.45. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Columbia and Huntsville is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

• 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in South Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving Permits: While South Carolina doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Columbia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Cayce
• Seven Oaks
• Forest Acres
• Irmo
• West Columbia

Best neighborhoods for families

• Lexington
• Blythewood
• Seven Oaks
• Chapin
• Oak Grove

Things to do in Columbia

Now that you've made the move to South Carolina it's the perfect time to explore Columbia From local hotspots to hidden gems, there's something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

• Arts and culture: Columbia features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, EdVenture Children's Museum, and South Carolina Military Museum.
• Outdoor recreation: The city's Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, Saluda Shoals Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Finlay Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
• Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.