Top-rated local movers that handle Lexington to Columbia moves
When planning a move from Lexington 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 eight local movers in Lexington 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 Lexington to Columbia.
- Wildcat Moving LLC: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Vincent Fister Inc.: 4.72 out of 5 stars
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving: 4.58 out of 5 stars
- Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.58 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 3952
Pricing: $140/hr
Years in Business: 13
DOT #: 2207083
Alternate Names: Wildcat Furniture Repair , Wildcat Pressure Washing , The Wildcat Group
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 3885
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 2527384
Alternate Names: Beautiful World, LLC. , Two Men And A Truck – Lexington
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Pianos
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 0065
Years in Business: 71
Alternate Names: Fister, Inc. , Vincent Fister Company, Inc. , United Van Lines
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 4393
Years in Business: 12
DOT #: 2378173
Alternate Names: College Hunks Moving , MJ, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1280
Years in Business: 36
DOT #: 070851
Alternate Names: Saunier North American , Saunier Moving & Storage, Inc., A North American Van Lines Agent
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Fragile-only packing
- Pay by credit card
How much does it cost to move from Lexington to Columbia?
Movers in Kentucky charge $105 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 | $1,080 – $3,031 | $636 – $1,603 | $366 – $722 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $1,869 – $5,433 | $1,208 – $2,275 | $398 – $865 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,453 – $7,556 | $1,603 – $2,882 | $526 – $980 |
Cost to hire movers from Lexington to Columbia
If you’re moving a studio or one-bedroom home from Lexington to Columbia, you can expect to spend between $1,080 and $3,031. For a two- or three-bedroom place, prices usually range from $1,869 to $5,433 on the same route. Got a larger household? Moving a four- or five-bedroom home from Lexington to Columbia typically runs between $3,453 and $7,556.
Cost of moving containers from Lexington to Columbia
When moving from Lexington to Columbia, for a small load, you’ll likely pay between $636 and $1,603. If you have a two- or three-bedroom home, costs usually range from $1,208 to $2,275. Got a big family or a four-plus bedroom house? Expect prices ranging anywhere from $1,603 up to $2,882. 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 Kentucky.
Cost of moving truck rentals from Lexington to Columbia
Renting a moving truck in Lexington 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 $366 and $722. For two- or three-bedroom moves, prices typically land between $398 and $865. Dealing with a four-bedroom-plus home? Expect rental truck costs to be somewhere between $526 and $980.
These cost ranges already include estimated fuel costs.
Factors that impact moving costs from Lexington to Columbia

What to know before moving from Lexington to Columbia
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move – Columbia runs about -37% higher for singles and 2% higher for families than Lexington.
Singles spend around $1,956 in Lexington versus $3,100 in Lexington; families pay $4,274 compared with $4,170.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Lexington | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,175 | $1,300 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,110 | $2,220 |
| Average home value | $309,021 | $220,612 |
| Average income (per capita) | $61,526 | $64,683 |
| Cost of living (single) | $3,100 | $1,956 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $4,170 | $4,274 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% | 5.2% |
| Sales tax | 6.0% | 8.0% |
| State income tax | 4.0% | 7.0% |
- As you consider relocating to Columbia, note that rent can be roughly 8% more expensive than it is in Lexington; adjust your financial plans to accommodate this change.
- Your monthly mortgage budget shouldn’t take a hit, with home prices being about 29% lower in Columbia than in Lexington.
- The average income in Columbia and Lexington is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Columbia, where the cost of living for a single person is 37% less than in Lexington.
- You’ll find the cost of living for a family to be nearly equivalent in Columbia and Lexington, with only a minor variance of about 5%, so you’ll likely see minimal difference in daily expenses.
- The unemployment rate in Columbia is 21% higher compared to Lexington, translating to more job seekers for available positions, which might elevate competition.
- Sales taxes are 33% higher in Columbia than in Lexington. This means you’ll likely pay more out-of-pocket for everyday purchases on taxable goods like clothing, electronics, dining out, and household items.
- Income taxes are 75% higher in South Carolina compared to Kentucky. As a result, you might notice a larger bite taken out of your salary by the state’s tax system, which could affect your net income.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Lexington with Columbia:
| Living Expense | Lexington | Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $206.92 | $148.09 |
| Cell phone plan | $71.33 | $54.77 |
| Dozen eggs | $2.98 | $3.46 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.90 | $2.65 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $14.25 | $16.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $75.00 | $60.00 |
| Gym membership | $37.50 | $40.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Lexington than in Columbia.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Lexington than in Columbia.
- Eggs are less expensive in Lexington than in Columbia.
- Bread is more expensive in Lexington than in Columbia.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Lexington than in Columbia.
- A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Lexington than in Columbia.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Lexington than in Columbia.
How life is different in Lexington vs. Columbia
| Lexington | Columbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,347 | 136,632 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 5 |
| Walkability score | 90 | 35 |
| Bike friendliness score | 85 | 35 |
| Crime index | 50.88 | 3.0 |
| Safety index | 49.12 | 48.39 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
- Columbia’s population is about 57% less than Lexington.
- Columbia’s public transportation score of 5 out of 10 is higher than Lexington’s score of 4.
- Columbia is less walkable than Lexington with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Lexington’s 90 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 Lexington, which has a score of 85.
- Columbia’s crime rate is lower than Lexington with a score of 3.0 compared to Lexington’s 50.88. This means that Columbia neighborhoods are safer than 3.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Lexington neighborhoods are safer than 50.88%.
- Columbia and Lexington have a similar safety level, with scores of 48.39 and 49.12.
- Air quality in Columbia is Good, and in Lexington it’s Good.
Other things to consider for your Lexington 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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