Top-rated local movers that handle Long Beach to Columbia moves
When planning a move from Long Beach to Columbia, finding a local mover that also handles long-distance relocations can be tricky. We’ve taken care of the research for you — reviewing 82 local movers in Long Beach who provide long-distance services, and scoring them on price, customer reviews, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Long Beach to Columbia.
- Walsh Moving and Storage: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Merit Moving Systems: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Silver Star Moving and Storage: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- Seka Moving: 4.86 out of 5 stars
- Meathead Movers: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 187258
Years in Business: 60
DOT #: 690093
Alternate Names: Thomas R. Sapper
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192009
Years in Business: 38
DOT #: 1839600
Alternate Names: Merit Moving & Logistics LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- DOD certified
Company Info
State license #: 0192606
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2448025
Alternate Names: Silver Star Movers , Silver Star Moving & Storage Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0192497
Years in Business: 7
DOT #: 3014539
Alternate Names: Seka Moving Corporation
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
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 189849
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 921143
Alternate Names: Meat Head Movers Inc , Meathead Movers Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Long Beach to Columbia?
Movers in California charge $128 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 | $1,313 – $5,064 | $1,301 – $3,137 | $1,315 – $2,727 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,646 – $7,230 | $2,404 – $4,752 | $1,453 – $3,185 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,714 – $12,011 | $3,244 – $6,708 | $1,780 – $3,751 |
Cost to hire movers from Long Beach to Columbia
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Long Beach to Columbia, you can expect to spend between $1,313 and $5,064. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,646 to $7,230 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Long Beach to Columbia typically runs between $6,714 and $12,011.
Cost of moving containers from Long Beach to Columbia
When moving from Long Beach to Columbia, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,301 and $3,137. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,404 to $4,752. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,244 up to $6,708. For detailed pricing info, take a look at our complete PODS cost guide.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies to help with your move from California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Long Beach to Columbia
Renting a moving truck in Long Beach is usually your cheapest option to get to Columbia. Just keep in mind that you’ll handle all the lifting, packing, and driving yourself.
If you’re moving out of a studio or one-bedroom and renting a truck, plan to spend between $1,315 and $2,727. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,453 and $3,185. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,780 and $3,751.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Long Beach to Columbia

What to know before moving from Long Beach to Columbia
Many movers find Columbia easier on the wallet than Long Beach – roughly 27% less for singles and 29% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,956 for one person in Columbia versus $2,681 in Long Beach. For a family of four, it’s $4,274 compared with $6,051.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Long Beach | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $2,450 | $1,300 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $3,780 | $2,220 |
| Average home value | $835,800 | $220,612 |
| Average income (per capita) | $78,995 | $64,683 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,681 | $1,956 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $6,051 | $4,274 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 10.25% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 7.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 30% lower in Columbia than in Long Beach, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 74% lower in Columbia than in Long Beach.
- It’s important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 18% less in Columbia than in Long Beach.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Columbia, where the cost of living for a single person is 27% less than in Long Beach.
- Moving to Columbia could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family’s regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 29% less than in Long Beach.
- Both Columbia and Long Beach present nearly identical unemployment rates, within a 5% range, signifying stability in employment conditions.
- Sales taxes are 22% lower in Columbia than in Long Beach. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Columbia can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 47% lower in South Carolina compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Long Beach with Columbia:
| Living Expense | Long Beach | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $147.18 | $148.09 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.55 | $54.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $3.58 | $3.46 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.79 | $2.65 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $18.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $41.20 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Long Beach than in Columbia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Long Beach than in Columbia.
- Eggs cost more in Long Beach than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Long Beach than in Columbia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in Long Beach than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Long Beach than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships cost more in Long Beach than in Columbia.
How life is different in Long Beach vs. Columbia
| Long Beach | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 451,307 | 136,632 |
| Transportation score | 8 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 73 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 70 | 35 |
| Crime index | 58.58 | 3.0 |
| Safety index | 41.42 | 48.39 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia’s population is about 70% less than Long Beach.
- Columbia’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Long Beach’s score of 8.
- Columbia is less walkable than Long Beach with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Long Beach’s 73 out of 100.
- Columbia has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, which means it isn’t as accessible or safe for cyclists as Long Beach, which has a score of 70.
- Columbia’s crime rate is lower than Long Beach with a score of 3.0 compared to Long Beach’s 58.58. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Long Beach neighborhoods are safer than 58.58%.
- Columbia is considered to be safer than Long Beach with a safety index of 48.39 vs Long Beach’s 41.42.
- Air quality in Columbia is Good, and in Long Beach it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Long Beach to Columbia move
- HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving 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. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving company’s license by visiting 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: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Columbia smoothly. Start the process 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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Columbia
Now that you’ve chosen Soda City as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Columbia to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Cayce
- Seven Oaks
- Forest Acres
- Irmo
- Lexington
- West Columbia
- St. Andrews
- Woodfield
Best neighborhoods for families
- Irmo
- Forest Acres
- Lexington
- Blythewood
- Seven Oaks
- Chapin
- Cayce
- Oak Grove
Things to do in Columbia
After getting comfortable in your new South Carolina home, it’s time to see what Columbia is all about. Whether you’re into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there’s plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Columbia offers cultural landmarks like the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, and EdVenture Children’s 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: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League)South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
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