($507+) Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from Newark, NJ, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $507 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,564 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 705 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,476, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,564 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,042 - $3,506, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $507 - $1,301.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Newark, NJ, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,100 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Newark to Columbia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,100 - $4,941. Moving containers run about 39% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 73% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 705-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 705-mile route from Newark to Columbia, broken down by home size:
- A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $1,476 - $3,846 with full-service movers, $1,042 - $1,948 with a container, $507 - $1,000 with a rental truck, or $902 - $1,602 by freight.
- A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $2,100 - $4,941 full-service, $1,273 - $2,493 by container, $574 - $1,074 by rental truck, or $1,018 - $2,138 by freight.
- A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $3,399 - $7,564 full-service, $1,687 - $3,506 by container, $657 - $1,301 by rental truck, or $1,420 - $2,591 by freight.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 705-mile move from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbia, South Carolina, with prices running from $1,476 - $7,564. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $347 - $2,316 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Newark and Columbia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Newark movers tend to run around $260 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Newark to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,476 - $3,846
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,100 - $4,941
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,399 - $7,564
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 Newark to Columbia.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
Specialty needs vary by market: 62% of Newark movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbia, 50% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing72% of local movers | $579 - $5,790 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready62% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $232 - $1,390/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $347 - $2,779 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage12% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs47% of local movers | $1,158 - $3,474 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,895 - $11,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $867 - $1,648 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $1,158 - $2,895 |
| Piano | Any piano type39% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: White Glove Moving & Storage | $926 - $4,053 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $347 - $1,737 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect3% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (NJ) | $753 - $2,316 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $347 - $17,370+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $347 - $4,053+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Newark to Columbia?
All three below meet the standards set by the South Carolina Trucking Association, the group most South Carolina movers are affiliated with.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Newark, NJ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
Moving containers from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $1,042 and $3,506. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to Columbia. If you go over that window, storage in Newark adds around $130/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Newark to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,042 - $1,948
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,273 - $2,493
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,687 - $3,506
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $87 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $174 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Columbia, SC, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $811 in Newark, NJ. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a New Jersey 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 $1,042. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,273 - $2,493.
What are the best moving containers Newark to Columbia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- 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 Newark 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 Newark:
- Piece of Cake Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- Moishe's Moving Systems (4.5/5), 33 years in business
- Big G Movers Inc (4.9/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
Plan on $507 - $1,301 for a rental moving truck on the 705-mile route from Newark, New Jersey, to Columbia, South Carolina. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $260 - $297
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Newark daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Newark to Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $507 - $1,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $574 - $1,074
- 4+ bedrooms: $657 - $1,301
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Newark to Columbia starts at $507 - $1,301, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($260 - $297), overnight lodging ($174/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $174 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $75 and $376 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $260 - $297 in fuel for the 705-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $811 in Newark, New Jersey, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Newark to Columbia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- 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 Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC
If you're moving a larger household from Newark, New Jersey, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Columbia, South Carolina.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,018 and $2,138.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Newark to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $902 - $1,602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,018 - $2,138
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,420 - $2,591
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Newark, New Jersey, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $811.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $87 - $174 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Newark to Columbia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Newark to Columbia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Newark, NJ 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 Newark on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Newark, NJ | Columbia, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 135 | 87 |
| Average rent | $2,300/mo | $1,447/mo |
| Median home value | $335,418 | $241,128 |
| Average income | $48,416/yr | $55,653/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 13.0% | 5.2% |
| State income tax | Up to 10.7% | Up to 7.0% |
| Walkability score | 76/100 | 35/100 |
| Safety index | 24.76/100 | 48.39/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Newark, NJ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from New Jersey 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. New Jersey alone has 315 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 705-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Newark, NJ, to Columbia, SC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,476 for a studio to $7,564 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 705-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,042 - $3,506. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $507 - $1,301, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $2,100 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from Newark, NJ, to Columbia, SC
Is Columbia a safe place to live?
Columbia has a safety index of 48.39 out of 100 and a crime index of 3.0, compared to 24.76 and 75.24 in Newark. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What is the cheapest way to move from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $574 - $1,074. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
How long does a move from Newark, NJ to Columbia, SC take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 6 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 do local movers charge in Newark?
Local movers based in Newark typically start around $260 as a base rate, plus $120/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.
What percentage of Newark movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 39% of movers in Newark handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.