Quick answer: The cost to move from Wilmington to Columbia ranges from $535 – $5,214, with a timeframe of one to six days. Factors affecting the estimate include volume, timing, and whether you handle the 591-mile move yourself or use professionals.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our guide to moving from Columbia to Wilmington.
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Best professional movers from Wilmington to Columbia
If you’d rather let the professionals handle every part of your interstate move from Wilmington 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.
There are 57 interstate moving companies in Wilmington, here are our top picks that can get you to Columbia with less stress and more peace of mind.
What moving services are available in Wilmington?
How we chose the best movers DE→SC movers
Top local movers for Wilmington to Columbia moves
Searching for a dependable local mover in Wilmington that also provides long-distance services to Columbia can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in — we’ve analyzed local movers in Wilmington who specialize in long-distance relocations, factoring in cost, services, and customer feedback.
These are the best local moving companies for getting from Wilmington to Columbia.
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.66 out of 5 stars
- Bayshore Transportation System, Inc.: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Forward Moving LLC: 4.76 out of 5 stars
- Move Crew LLC: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.86 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #:
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: Northern Volunteer Enterprises, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 52
DOT #: 540129
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 8920700
Years in Business: 8
DOT #: 3078473
Alternate Names: Forward Moving, LLC.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
Years in Business: 0
DOT #: 2899919
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
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 39PM00121400
Years in Business: 27
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of New Jersey LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
How much does it cost to move from Wilmington to Columbia?
Movers in Delaware generally charge an average of $120 per hour. Check out these typical costs for a full-service moving company, moving container, or truck rental:
Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
---|---|---|---|
Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,120 – $3,262 | $767 – $1,743 | $477 – $890 |
2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,964 – $5,214 | $1,383 – $2,558 | $535 – $994 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,804 – $7,468 | $1,810 – $3,370 | $630 – $1,301 |
Cost to hire movers from Wilmington to Columbia
Moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Wilmington to Columbia typically costs between $1,120 and $3,262. For a two- or three-bedroom home, expect prices to fall between $1,964 and $5,214 when moving from Wilmington to Columbia. If you’re tackling a large move (think four or five bedrooms) from Wilmington to Columbia, you’re looking at costs ranging from $3,804 up to $7,468.
Cost of moving containers from Wilmington to Columbia
If you’re relocating from Wilmington to Columbia, you’ll typically spend between $767 and $1,743 for a small move. Have a two or three-bedroom home? Plan for costs to range from $1,383 up to $2,558. If you’re moving a larger home — four bedrooms or more — expect to pay anywhere between $1,810 and $3,370. For a full breakdown, check out our complete PODS cost guide.
Explore our top budget-friendly moving container companies for your move from Delaware.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Wilmington to Columbia
Renting a moving truck is typically the most budget-friendly choice for a Wilmington to Columbia move, 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 $477 and $890. For a two- or three-bedroom move, costs usually range from $535 to $994. If you’re tackling a four-bedroom or bigger move, your rental truck will likely run between $630 and $1,301.
Estimated fuel costs are already factored into these quotes.
Major factors affecting moving costs from Wilmington to Columbia

What to know before moving from Wilmington to Columbia
Many movers find Columbia easier on the wallet than Wilmington – roughly 45% less for singles and 2% less for families.
Monthly basics average $1,956 for one person in Columbia versus $3,533 in Wilmington. For a family of four, it’s $4,274 compared with $4,350.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
Wilmington | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Average 1 BR rent | $1,933 | $1,300 |
Average 3 BR rent | $3,200 | $2,220 |
Average home value | $307,799 | $220,612 |
Average income (per capita) | $49,354 | $64,683 |
Unemployment rate | 10.3% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 0.0% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 6.6% | 7.0% |
- Good news! When moving to Columbia from Wilmington, you’ll benefit from rent being an estimated 20% less, allowing for a more relaxed budget.
- With home prices being nearly 28% cheaper in Columbia, your mortgage budget will remain the same without any significant changes.
- Exciting news here, the average income is about 31% higher in Columbia than in Wilmington, so you should have more to save or invest each month.
- Prepare to enjoy reduced routine costs such as groceries, fuel, and utilities in Columbia. The cost of living for a single person is 45% less compared to Wilmington.
- The cost of living for a family remains roughly the same between Columbia and Wilmington, varying by only about 5%, so you likely won’t notice a significant change in expenses.
- With an unemployment rate approximately 50% lower than Wilmington, Columbia boasts a favorable employment scene and thriving economic conditions, ideal for new arrivals.
- Columbia has a sales tax, while Wilmington does not. That means you’ll pay more at checkout after your move, adding extra cost to everyday purchases.
- Income taxes are 6% higher in South Carolina than in Delaware. This means a larger portion of your earnings will go to state taxes, potentially reducing your take-home pay.
Take a detailed look at how everyday expenses stack up between Wilmington and Columbia, from monthly bills to routine purchases:
Living Expense | Wilmington | Columbia |
---|---|---|
Basic utilities | $126.92 | $148.09 |
Cell phone plan | $44.10 | $54.77 |
Dozen eggs | $3.05 | $3.46 |
Loaf of bread | $3.56 | $2.65 |
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $16.00 | $16.00 |
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $72.50 | $60.00 |
Gym membership | $33.50 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities cost less in Wilmington than in Columbia, helping trim your monthly bills.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Wilmington than in Columbia.
- Eggs are less expensive in Wilmington than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Wilmington than in Columbia.
- The cost of a quick meal is about the same in both cities.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Wilmington than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Wilmington than in Columbia.
How life is different in Wilmington vs. Columbia
Wilmington | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Population | 70,898 | 136,632 |
Transportation score | 6 | 5 |
Walkability score | 74 | 35 |
Bike friendliness score | 52 | 35 |
Crime index | 67.32 | 3.0 |
Safety index | 32.68 | 48.39 |
Air quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia’s population is about 93% greater than Wilmington.
- Columbia’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is lower than Wilmington’s score of 6.
- Columbia is less walkable than Wilmington with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Wilmington’s 74 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 Wilmington, which has a score of 52.
- Columbia’s crime rate is lower than Wilmington with a score of 3.0 compared to Wilmington’s 67.32. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Wilmington neighborhoods are safer than 67.32%.
- Columbia is considered to be safer than Wilmington with a safety index of 48.39 vs Wilmington’s 32.68.
- Air quality in Columbia is Good, and in Wilmington it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Wilmington to Columbia move
- HOA rules: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you’re familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: If there is an elevator in your building, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Research parking requirements in your destination city to ensure your truck won’t run into restrictions.
- 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 check the status of a South Carolina moving license through the state’s public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: You won’t need a moving permit in South Carolina, though it’s smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Columbia without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: State laws differ on mover 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
Ready to relocate to Soda City? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider in Columbia.
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
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: Cultural attractions in Columbia include museums and art centers 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: Outdoor lovers will appreciate Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park, Saluda Shoals Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, and Finlay Park, along with many other spots perfect for walking, cycling, and fresh air adventures.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League)South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
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