($1,378+) Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC Movers

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The cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC ranges from $1,402 to $12,953, with an average cost of $4,650. Moves can be as low as $1,378 if you're wanting to DIY it.

This move covers about 2,400 miles and usually takes 7 to 18 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.

Compare moving options from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Moving options from Long Beach to Columbia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service costs run $1,402 - $12,953 on this route depending on how much you're moving, with an average cost of $4,650, and movers handle all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This particular route covers 2,400 miles and typically takes 7 to 18 days depending on the service you pick.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,400-mile route from Long Beach to Columbia, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $1,402 - $6,128 $1,870 - $3,545 $1,491 - $2,775 $1,732 - $3,222
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,010 - $8,213 $2,471 - $5,227 $1,583 - $3,173 $1,843 - $3,943
4+ bedrooms $7,034 - $12,953 $3,299 - $7,028 $1,903 - $4,090 $2,560 - $5,190

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Hiring full-service movers from Long Beach, California, to Columbia, South Carolina, costs between $1,402 and $12,953. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 2,400-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $396 - $2,640, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Long Beach and Columbia. For a rough baseline, movers based in Long Beach tend to start around $162 plus $75/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Long Beach to Columbia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,402 - $6,128
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $4,010 - $8,213
  • 4+ bedrooms: $7,034 - $12,953

Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Long Beach to Columbia.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from California to South Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.

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Specialty moving services from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Specialty needs vary by market — 87% of Long Beach movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbia, 86% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$660 - $6,600
Storage in transitNew place not ready87% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$264 - $1,584/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$396 - $3,168
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage40% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers$1,320 - $3,960
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$3,300 - $13,200
Car shippingSecond vehicle$989 - $1,878
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items67% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$1,320 - $3,300
PianoAny piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$1,056 - $4,620
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers$396 - $1,980
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect29% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Sterling Van Lines$858 - $2,640
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$396 - $19,800+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$396 - $4,620+

What are the best full-service movers from Long Beach to Columbia?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in South Carolina Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
  3. Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Long Beach, CA. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.

Moving container costs from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Moving containers from Long Beach, California, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,870 and $7,028. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Long Beach costs roughly $90/month if you need it.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Long Beach to Columbia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,870 - $3,545
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,471 - $5,227
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,299 - $7,028

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Long Beach, CA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $924, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $99 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $198 per month.
  • Access: Most major container companies serve both Long Beach, CA, and Columbia, SC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
  • Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a California to South Carolina move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.

Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $1,870. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $2,471 - $5,227, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Long Beach to Columbia?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)

Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Long Beach to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Long Beach:

  • Sterling Van Lines (4.6/5), 35 years in business
  • Merit Moving Systems (4.9/5), 39 years in business
  • Box-N-Go, LLC (4.8/5), 19 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Truck rentals from Long Beach, California, to Columbia, South Carolina, range from $1,491 - $4,090 for the 2,400-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:

  • Fuel for the drive: $1,008 - $1,152
  • Daily insurance: $40/day
  • Equipment rentals: $9 - $26
  • Long Beach daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.79 - $1.09
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Long Beach to Columbia based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,491 - $2,775
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,583 - $3,173
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,903 - $4,090

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,491 - $4,090 does not include fuel ($1,008 - $1,152) , lodging ($198/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Long Beach to Columbia typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
  • Lodging: Budget around $198 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
  • Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Long Beach, California, usually costs about $924 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
  • Gas: Fuel for the 2,400-mile drive falls between $1,008 and $1,152, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $66 and $396 to your total.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Long Beach to Columbia?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)

The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.

Freight trailer costs from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC

Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Long Beach, California, to Columbia, South Carolina, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.

What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Overall pricing for a move of this size and distance typically lands around $1,843 and $3,943.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Long Beach to Columbia:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,732 - $3,222
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,843 - $3,943
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,560 - $5,190

Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
  • More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $99 - $198 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Long Beach, California, for about five hours typically runs $924.

What are the best freight companies from Long Beach to Columbia?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
  3. Sea-Logix, LLC (4.76/5 stars): Sea-Logix, LLC is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Local ownership translates to accessible support staff and facilities based in the communities they serve, giving customers more direct communication than they'd typically get from a national-only freight network.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Columbia fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Long Beach, CA vs Columbia, SC

The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Columbia, side by side with Long Beach on housing, income, and taxes.

Measure Long Beach, CA Columbia, SC
Cost of living index16287
Average rent$2,075/mo$1,447/mo
Median home value$762,188$241,128
Average income$83,969/yr$55,653/yr
Unemployment rate5.2%5.2%
State income taxUp to 13.3%Up to 7.0%
Walkability score73/10035/100
Safety index41.42/10048.39/100
Air qualityGoodGood

Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbia, SC to Long Beach, CA guide.

Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:

Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from California to South Carolina, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. California alone has 374 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 2,400-mile move like this one.

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Our take

Full-service movers on the 2,400-mile route from Long Beach, CA, to Columbia, SC, run $1,402 - $12,953 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,870 - $7,028, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $1,491 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $4,010, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.

FAQs: Moving from Long Beach, CA, to Columbia, SC

How much does it cost to move from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC?

Costs on this route range from around $1,402 to $12,953, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,402 and $12,953, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

What are some tips for saving money on a move from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC?

Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.

What do local movers charge in Long Beach?

Local movers based in Long Beach typically start around $162 as a base rate, plus $75/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Columbia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How long does a move from Long Beach, CA to Columbia, SC take?

Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.

What are the best neighborhoods in Columbia?

For families, Irmo, Forest Acres, and Lexington are worth a look in Columbia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cayce, Seven Oaks, and Forest Acres tend to be popular picks instead.

What percentage of Long Beach movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 79% of movers in Long Beach handle piano moves, and 67% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.