Quick answer: For a 315-mile move from Columbus to Columbia, expect to spend around $416–$5,626 and one to four days in transit. Cost and time vary by move size, date, and whether you're going DIY or using a moving company.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to Columbus guide.
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Best Movers By Type
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Best Professional Movers from Columbus to Columbia
Choosing a long-distance moving company in Columbus to go to Columbia can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's hard to know which movers to trust… and which ones to avoid.
Don't worry — you won't have to sort through all of them. We've done the research for you and narrowed down the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
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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How we chose the best moving companies for your GA to SC move
Find trusted moving companies for your Columbus to Columbia journey
Organizing a move from Columbus to Columbia can be daunting, particularly when trying to identify a reliable mover that offers long-distance services. The choices are vast, but which ones stand out?
We've done the groundwork for you, evaluating local movers in Columbus known for their long-distance moving capabilities, assessing them on pricing, customer experiences, and reliability.
Here are the top local moving companies to ensure a smooth transition from Columbus to Columbia.
- Coleman Worldwide Moving: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Apple Moving : 4.58 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.48 out of 5 stars
- American International Movers Inc.: 4.1 out of 5 stars
- JIT Movers Inc.: 4.04 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 110
DOT #: 2897746
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 9128
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 1934458
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
Company Info
State license #: 500159
Years in Business: 18
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Trad Holdings, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 34
DOT #: 270715
Alternate Names: IHS Technologies, Inc., Trading Post Moving & Storage, American International Movers, Inc., Covenant Storage, Inc., Southern Choice Moving & Storage
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Pricing: $125/hr
Years in Business: 14
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Columbus to Columbia?
Columbus movers charge $140 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 | $1,152 - $3,709 | $774 - $1,869 | $410 - $680 |
2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,997 - $5,626 | $1,308 - $2,540 | $416 - $814 |
4+ bedrooms | $3,083 - $7,875 | $1,874 - $3,321 | $519 - $993 |
Cost to hire movers from Georgia to South Carolina
If you're packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from Georgia to South Carolina, you can expect prices to land between $1,152 and $3,709. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $1,997 to $5,626 for the trip from GA to SC. If you're moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you're likely looking at a price tag between $3,083 and $7,875.
Cost of moving containers from Georgia to South Carolina
If you're moving from Georgia to South Carolina, expect to pay between $774 and $1,869 for a small load. For a home with two or three bedrooms, prices typically range from $1,308 up to $2,540. Larger moves of four bedrooms or more can run between $1,874 and $3,321. Check out our guide on PODS cost for more details.
Check out the most affordable moving container companies for your move from Georgia.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Georgia 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 $410 and $680. For two to three bedrooms, rates typically fall between $416 and $814. Relocating a four-bedroom (or bigger) home? You're likely looking at anywhere from $519 up to $993 for your rental truck.
These quotes include estimated fuel costs.
Key factors that influence moving costs from Columbus to Columbia
What to know before moving from Columbus to Columbia
Moving from Columbus to Columbia means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Columbus than in Columbia, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Columbus compares to Columbia so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Columbus | Columbia | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,100 | $1,447 |
Average home value | $157,861 | $220,612 |
Average income (per capita) | $50,542 | $64,683 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,041 | $1,956 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,834 | $4,274 |
Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 9.0% | 8.0% |
State income tax | 5.49% | 7.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Columbia, since prices are typically 32% higher than in Columbus.
- The home prices in Columbia are 39.8% higher than in Columbus, which could mean saving up before buying a home, taking on a bigger mortgage, or downsizing.
- You're likely to make a higher income living in Columbia, where incomes are, on average, 28.0% higher than in Columbus. 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 4.2% lower than in Columbus.
- If you're moving your family to Columbia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Columbia is 11.5% higher than in Columbus.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 1.89% lower than in Columbus.
- You'll spend less on retail and restaurants in Columbia, since the city's sales taxes in Columbia are 11.11% lower than in Columbus.
- State income taxes in Columbia are 27.50% higher than in Columbus.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,875.06 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Columbus.
How life is different in Columbus vs. Columbia
Columbia | Columbus | |
---|---|---|
Population | 136,632 | 206,922 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 2 |
Walkability score | 35 | 25 |
Bike friendliness score | 35 | 31 |
Crime Index | 3.0 | 72.18 |
Safety Index | 48.39 | 27.82 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 34% less than Columbus.
- Columbia offers better access to buses and trains than Columbus, based on public transportation ratings. Columbia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 2 in Columbus. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in Columbia means you'll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Columbus. Columbia is considered more walkable than Columbus, with a score of 35 out of 100 versus 25 out of 100 in Columbus. A city's walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, Columbia is considered more bike-friendly than Columbus in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Columbia has a bike-friendliness score of 35 out of 100, while Columbus is rated as 31 out of 100.
- Columbia has a lower crime rate than Columbus based on scores of 3.0 and Columbus's 72.18, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Columbia than in Columbus, based on Columbia's safety index of 48.39 versus 27.82 for Columbus. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in Columbia and Columbus 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 Columbus 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: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it's a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in South Carolina, visit 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: 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: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
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
- Forest Acres
- Irmo
- West Columbia
- St. Andrews
Best neighborhoods for families
- Irmo
- Lexington
- Blythewood
- Seven Oaks
- Chapin
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 features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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 spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League), South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC), or Benedict Tigers (SIAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Columbia?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Columbus to Columbia. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Columbus.
When is the cheapest time to move from Columbus to Columbia?
Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Columbus to Columbia moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.
How long does a move from Columbus to Columbia take?
Covering 315 miles, the move from Columbus, GA to Columbia, SC typically takes one to four days. Some Columbus movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services in Columbia can help bridge the gap.