Top-rated local movers that handle San Francisco to Columbia moves
When planning a move from San Francisco 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 91 local movers in San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Columbia.
- Pure Moving Company: 4.52 out of 5 stars
- Gentle Giant Moving Company: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Eagle Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- NorthStar Moving Company : 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Good Green Moving: 4.48 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 0191103
Years in Business: 11
DOT #: 3207734
Alternate Names: Pure Moving & Storage, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0167668
Years in Business: 44
DOT #: 373544
Alternate Names: Great Giant Moving Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crane vans
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0190673
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 3670248
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0182466
Years in Business: 30
DOT #: 1836576
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0191035
Pricing: $70/hr
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2604063
Alternate Names: Green Move, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from San Francisco 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 | $1,289 – $5,564 | $1,429 – $3,525 | $1,503 – $2,971 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,882 – $7,470 | $2,368 – $5,240 | $1,677 – $3,332 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $7,444 – $12,288 | $3,497 – $7,208 | $1,937 – $4,048 |
Cost to hire movers from San Francisco to Columbia
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from San Francisco to Columbia, you can expect to spend between $1,289 and $5,564. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $3,882 to $7,470 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from San Francisco to Columbia typically runs between $7,444 and $12,288.
Cost of moving containers from San Francisco to Columbia
When moving from San Francisco to Columbia, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $1,429 and $3,525. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $2,368 to $5,240. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $3,497 up to $7,208. 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 San Francisco to Columbia
Renting a moving truck in San Francisco 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 $1,503 and $2,971. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $1,677 and $3,332. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $1,937 and $4,048.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from San Francisco to Columbia

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Columbia
Many movers find Columbia easier on the wallet than San Francisco – roughly 48% less for singles and 51% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,956 for one person in Columbia versus $3,781 in San Francisco. For a family of four, it’s $4,274 compared with $8,717.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| San Francisco | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $3,259 | $1,300 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $5,475 | $2,220 |
| Average home value | $1,241,003 | $220,612 |
| Average income (per capita) | $136,689 | $64,683 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,781 | $1,956 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $8,717 | $4,274 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 8.63% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 7.0% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 55% lower in Columbia than in San Francisco, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 82% lower in Columbia than in San Francisco.
- It’s important to evaluate your finances first. The average income is around 53% less in Columbia than in San Francisco.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Columbia, where the cost of living for a single person is 48% less than in San Francisco.
- 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 51% less than in San Francisco.
- Both Columbia and San Francisco present nearly identical unemployment rates, within a 5% range, signifying stability in employment conditions.
- Sales taxes are 7% lower in Columbia than in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco with Columbia:
| Living Expense | San Francisco | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $148.09 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $54.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.91 | $3.46 |
| Loaf of bread | $5.06 | $2.65 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $25.00 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $125.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $99.96 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- Eggs cost more in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- A quick meal tends to cost more in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in San Francisco than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships cost more in San Francisco than in Columbia.
How life is different in San Francisco vs. Columbia
| San Francisco | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 808,988 | 136,632 |
| Transportation score | 10 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 99 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 99 | 35 |
| Crime index | 61.41 | 3.0 |
| Safety index | 38.59 | 48.39 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Columbia’s population is about 83% less than San Francisco.
- Columbia’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than San Francisco’s score of 10.
- Columbia is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 35 out of 100 vs San Francisco’s 99 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 San Francisco, which has a score of 99.
- Columbia’s crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 3.0 compared to San Francisco’s 61.41. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
- Columbia is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 48.39 vs San Francisco’s 38.59.
- Air quality in Columbia is Good, and in San Francisco it’s Moderate.
Other things to consider for your San Francisco 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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