Top Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC Movers

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

1. Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
2. McCorquodale Transfer: 4.58 out of 5 stars
3. Admiral Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars
4. C & R Movers, LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
5. Motivated Movers, Inc.: 4.34 out of 5 stars

Cost to hire movers from Alabama to South Carolina

Planning a move from Alabama to South Carolina? For a studio or one-bedroom, you'll likely pay between $1,218 and $3,716. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, expect costs to fall somewhere between $2,122 and $5,661 for the same journey (AL to SC). Moving four or five bedrooms? Typical prices range from $3,237 to $7,505.

Cost of moving containers from Alabama to South Carolina

When you're heading from Alabama to South Carolina, and you're only moving a few items, you can expect to spend between $727 and $1,604. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually fall between $1,343 and $2,367. If you're packing up a large home with four or more bedrooms, the cost can range from $1,777 to $3,044. Want more details? Check out our complete PODS cost guide.

Explore the top budget-friendly moving container companies to make your move from Alabama easier and more affordable.

Cost of moving truck rentals from Alabama to South Carolina

Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice, but remember, you'll be responsible for all the heavy lifting, packing, and driving on your own.

If you're moving from a studio or one-bedroom place with a rental truck, expect to pay between $392 and $675. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $431 to $826. If you're tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $498 and $1,017.

Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.

• You may want to budget more for rent in Columbia, since prices are typically 21% higher than in Montgomery.
• The home prices in Columbia are 56.9% higher than in Montgomery, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
• You're likely to make a higher income living in Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 29.4% higher than in Montgomery. Major employers in Columbia include Pure Fishing, LexiCode, and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Columbia, since the cost of living for a single person in Columbia is 18.5% higher than in Montgomery. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• 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 19.8% higher than in Montgomery.
• The unemployment rate in Columbia is 10.34% lower than in Montgomery.
• You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Columbia, since the city's sales taxes in Columbia are 20.00% lower than in Montgomery.
• State income taxes in Columbia are 40.00% higher than in Montgomery.

• Columbia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 32% less than Montgomery.
• Columbia offers better access to buses and trains than Montgomery, based on public transportation ratings. Columbia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Montgomery. 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 Montgomery. Columbia is considered more walkable than Montgomery, with a score of 35 out of 100 versus 26 out of 100 in Montgomery. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• Columbia and Montgomery are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 35 and 33 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
• Columbia has a lower crime rate than Montgomery based on scores of 3.0 and Montgomery's 65.25, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Columbia than in Montgomery, based on Columbia's safety index of 48.39 versus 34.75 for Montgomery. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Columbia has better air quality than in Montgomery. Columbia has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Montgomery. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all 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: 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. We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
• Change of address: 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.

Best neighborhoods for singles

• Cayce
• Forest Acres
• Irmo
• Lexington
• West Columbia

Best neighborhoods for families

• Irmo
• Forest Acres
• Lexington
• Seven Oaks
• Cayce

Things to do in Columbia

After settling into your new South Carolina home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Columbia has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:

• 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.