Moving from New York City, NY to Columbia, SC: Movers and Cost

Quick Answer: The cost to move from New York City, NY to Columbia, SC averages from $575 to $5,690 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Columbia, SC. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Columbia to New York City guide.

Moving 710 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from New York City to Columbia?

Here are average prices to hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck:

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,189 - $3,900 $766 - $1,853 $533 - $1,000
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,276 - $5,690 $1,379 - $2,700 $575 - $1,187
4+ bedrooms $3,956 - $8,042 $1,845 - $3,507 $719 - $1,438

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 710 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from New York City to Columbia will depend on:

  • Move size: 5 bedroom homes are more expensive to move than 1 bedroom apartments.
  • Time of year: Summer is busy season so moving companies charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress.

How Much do Movers Cost?

Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.

Get instant ballpark pricing It's fast, easy, and free

Get instant ballpark pricing. Fast, easy, and free

Who Are The Best New York City to Columbia Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal.

We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best long distance moving companies in the industry.

If you’re moving a 1 bedroom apartment worth of stuff or more, these are the best full service moving companies.

Company Quote Rating Price
Safeway Moving
Best Overall Value
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
American Van Lines
American Van Lines
Best industry reputation
Get A Quote
     
4.5 overall rating
International Van Lines
International Van Lines
Best customer service
Get A Quote
     
4.45 overall rating

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from New York City to Columbia?

To ship furniture from New York City to Columbia with a mover will cost between $1,189 to $3,900. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home will range from $2,276 to $5,690, and a 4-bedroom move or bigger move from New York City to Columbia will cost from $3,956 to $8,042.

How much are moving container companies from New York City to Columbia?

Moving containers from New York City to Columbia will cost you $766 to $1,853 for a studio or one-bedroom home. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,379 to $2,700. A larger home will cost $1,845 to $3,507.

How much is a moving truck from New York City to Columbia?

Renting a moving truck is usually the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $533 to $1,000. A larger move will cost $575 to $1,187, and a 4+ bedroom move from New York City to Columbia costs from $719 to $1,438.

How to ship a car from New York City to Columbia?

If you're moving from New York City to Columbia and need to transport your car, finding a reliable car shipping company is crucial. Look for top-rated New York City to Columbia car shippers and compare quotes and services to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Keep in mind that the type of transport you choose and the size of your vehicle will affect the cost.

Is moving from New York City, NY to Columbia, SC a good idea?

Cost of Living: New York City vs Columbia

New York City Columbia
Average rent cost $3,367 $1,092
Average home value $746,354 $218,444
Average income (per capita) $71,983 $64,700
Cost of Living (single person) $1,364 $1,956
Cost of Living (family of 4) $5,009 $4,274
Unemployment rate 11.2% 5.2%
Sales Tax 8.0% 8.0%
State Income Tax 10.9% 7.0%
  • Rent Prices in Columbia, SC are 68% lower than in New York City, NY.
  • Home Prices in Columbia, SC are 70.7% lower than in New York City, NY.
  • Income in Columbia, SC is 10.1% lower than in New York City, NY.
  • Cost of Living for a single person in Columbia, SC is 43.4% higher than in New York City, NY.
  • Cost of Living for a family in Columbia, SC is 14.7% lower than in New York City, NY.
  • Unemployment rate in Columbia, SC is 53.57% lower than in New York City, NY.
  • Sales Taxes are the same in Columbia, SC and New York City, NY.
  • State Income Taxes in Columbia, SC are 35.78% lower than in New York City, NY.

To put this into perspective, you would need around $1,697.9 in Columbia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in New York City.

How is life different in New York City, NY to Columbia, SC?

Columbia New York City
Population 136,632 8,804,190
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 5 10
Walkability score 35 88
Bike friendliness score 35 69
Crime Index 3.0 25.8
Safety Index 48.39 52.42
Air Quality Good Good
  • Columbia’s population is about 98% less than New York City.
  • Columbia’s public transportation is better than New York City with a score of 5 vs 10.
  • Columbia is less walkable than New York City with a score of 35 vs 88.
  • Columbia is less bike-friendly than New York City with a score of 35 vs 69.
  • Columbia's crime rate is lower than New York City with a score of 3.0 compared to 25.8.
  • Columbia is considered to be less safe than New York City with a score of 48.39 vs 52.42.
  • Air Quality in Columbia is Good, and in New York City it’s Good.

Considerations for moving to Columbia, SC

  • 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Columbia. Get started here.
  • Moving Company Insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you’ve got everything covered.

Local New York City Movers

Company Quote Rating Contact
Gentle Giant Moving Company Get A Quote      
4.86 overall rating
100 Bowne Street, New York, NY, 11231
(718) 907-1830
Roadway Moving Get A Quote      
4.8 overall rating
845 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, 11232
(212) 812-5240

Visit our Best Movers in New York City page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Where to live in Columbia, SC

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Soda City", these are the best neighborhoods in Columbia to move to.

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

What to do in Columbia

Moving to The “Soda City”? These are some of the best things to do in your new South Carolina home.

  • Riverbanks Zoo
  • Riverbanks Botanical Garden
  • South Carolina State House
  • South Carolina State Museum
  • Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park
  • Columbia Museum of Art
  • University of South Carolina Visitor Center
  • Waverly Historic District
  • EdVenture Children's Museum

Get your sports on!

Columbia is a great sports town, these are the local teams to support:
  • Columbia Fireflies (Baseball-Carolina League)
  • South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC)
  • Benedict Tigers (SIAC)

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