Quick answer: The cost to move from Tucson to Columbia ranges from $1,330 to $8,496 and the journey will take approximately five to 16 days. Key factors influencing these estimates include your moving volume, chosen moving date, and whether you opt for professional movers or handle the 1,949-mile move on your own.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Tucson guide.
Our track record
Best movers by type
When you’ve got 13 interstate movers to choose from like you do in Tucson, the search for the right one can quickly become overwhelming. And that’s after you decide whether to hand the job over to a full-service team or keep more control — and save a little money — with a DIY approach.
We’ve already done the hard work for you. Each Tucson mover was reviewed for services offered, pricing, and overall value, with customer experiences drawn from online reviews. From there, we narrowed the field to the best long-distance movers in Tucson, so you can move forward with confidence.
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Best professional movers from Tucson to Columbia
If you’d rather let the professionals handle every part of your interstate move from Tucson to Columbia, a full-service mover is the way to go. These companies can manage everything, so you can focus on the big picture instead of the heavy lifting.
Here are our top picks for full-service movers that can get you from Tucson to Columbia with less stress and more peace of mind.
Safeway Moving
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American Van Lines
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Allied Van Lines
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Mayzlin Relocation
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North American Van Lines
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What moving services are available in Tucson?
How we chose the best moving companies for your AZ to SC move
The best local movers servicing Tucson to Columbia moves
Finding a trusted local moving company in Tucson that offers long-distance services to Columbia can be a challenge. With so many movers advertising similar services, it's tough to know who really delivers on quality.
Good news — we've done the homework for you. Our team reviewed top local movers in Tucson who handle long-distance moves, evaluating them based on pricing, service offerings, and customer satisfaction.
Here are the best local movers for long-distance moves from Tucson to Columbia.
- Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc.: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- E-Z Move: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Abba & Sons Moving LLC: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Daniel's Moving and Storage, Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 35
DOT #: 667348
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 25
DOT #: 1966983
Alternate Names: Tucson Moving Systems, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 16
DOT #: 1921793
Alternate Names: Abba and Sons Moving, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 47
DOT #: 1293335
Alternate Names: Atlas Van Lines, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOD certified
Company Info
Years in Business: 19
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Black Wolf Moving Arizona, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Tucson to Columbia?
Tucson movers charge $85 per hour on average. Here are average prices for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,466 - $5,272 | $1,321 - $3,141 | $1,229 - $2,564 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,883 - $8,496 | $2,377 - $4,600 | $1,330 - $2,819 |
4+ bedrooms | $7,014 - $12,087 | $3,129 - $6,134 | $1,765 - $3,593 |
Cost to hire movers from Arizona to South Carolina
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Arizona to South Carolina will cost between $1,466 and $5,272. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from AZ to SC will range from $3,883 to $8,496, and a large move from Arizona to South Carolina will cost from $7,014 to $12,087.
Cost of moving containers from Arizona to South Carolina
If you're relocating from Arizona to South Carolina, you'll typically spend between $1,321 and $3,141 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $2,377 up to $4,600. If you're moving a larger home—four bedrooms or more—expect to pay anywhere between $3,129 and $6,134. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Arizona.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Arizona 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 $1,229 and $2,564. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $1,330 and $2,819. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $1,765 up to $3,593 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Tucson to Columbia
What to know before moving from Tucson to Columbia
Many movers find Columbia easier on the wallet than Tucson — roughly 18% less for singles and 29% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,956 for one person in Columbia versus $2,390 in Tucson. For a family of four, it’s $4,274 compared with $6,043.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
- You may want to budget more for rent in Columbia, since prices are typically 12% higher than in Tucson.
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In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Columbia.
Home prices in Columbia are 32.6% lower than in Tucson. - You're likely to make a higher income living in Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 4.8% higher than in Tucson. 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 18.2% lower than in Tucson.
- A move to Columbia can help cut down on a family's routine expenses, including utilities, transportation, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 29.3% less than what it costs in Tucson.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 29.73% lower than in Tucson.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Columbia, since the city's sales taxes in Columbia are 8.05% lower than in Tucson.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 180.00% higher than in Tucson.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Tucson versus Columbia.
Tucson | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $271.98 | $148.09 |
Cell phone plan | $70.53 | $54.77 |
Dozen eggs | $4.22 | $3.46 |
Loaf of bread | $3.33 | $2.65 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18 | $16 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75 | $60 |
Gym membership | $35.28 | $40 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Tucson than in Columbia.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Tucson than in Columbia.
- Eggs cost more in Tucson than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Tucson than in Columbia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Tucson than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Tucson than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Tucson than in Columbia.
How life is different in Tucson vs. Columbia
Columbia | Tucson | |
---|---|---|
Population | 136,632 | 542,629 |
Transportation Score | 5 | 5 |
Walkability score | 35 | 43 |
Bike friendliness score | 35 | 66 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 54.43 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 45.57 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 75% less than Tucson.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Columbia will be about the same as it currently is in Tucson. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Columbia neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Tucson. Based on its score of 35 out of 100, Columbia isn't as walkable as Tucson, which has a score of 43 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Columbia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Tucson. While Tucson has a bike-friendliness score of 66 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 Tucson based on scores of 3.0 and Tucson's 54.43, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- Columbia is generally as safe as Tucson, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
- The air quality in Columbia and Tucson 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.
Other things to consider for your Tucson vs. Columbia move
- 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.
Where to live in Columbia
Now that you've decided to make the move to Soda City, these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Columbia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cayce
- Seven Oaks
- Irmo
- St. Andrews
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families
- Irmo
- Blythewood
- Chapin
- Cayce
- 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 is home to museums and cultural arts centers like 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 sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Tucson to Columbia?
The best time to move from Tucson to Columbia is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Tucson.
When is the cheapest time to move from Tucson to Columbia?
With many people choosing to move from Tucson to Columbia in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Tucson to Columbia take?
The 1,949-mile move from Tucson, AZ, to Columbia, SC, takes five to 16 days. Some Tucson movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Columbia.
Which movers in Tucson offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 11 movers in Tucson have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 9 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across AZ, there are 65 piano movers and 45 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2175 and 1400.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.